Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza: A Renewed Call for Justice and Solidarity

The Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza marks a powerful continuation of international civil resistance against the blockade of Gaza — and, according to Fra Hughes, academic and political commentator, it represents far more than a symbolic act. Drawing on the legacy of past humanitarian missions like the Mavi Marmara (2010), Hughes describes the flotilla as a “global citizens’ response” to what he calls the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

He argues that the mission challenges the legality and morality of the siege, exposes Western complicity, and highlights the growing disconnect between public solidarity movements and official UK foreign policy. With tens of thousands now applying to join future flotillas, Hughes sees this initiative as both a humanitarian act of love and defiance and a wake-up call to global conscience — demanding that international law and moral responsibility replace silence and political inaction.

1- How significant is the Global Sumud Flotilla in the context of past maritime missions to Gaza, such as the Mavi Marmara in 2010 — and how has the international landscape shifted since then?

The Global Sumud Flotilla was a global citizens response to both the genocidal ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Palestinian population of Gaza and by extension the Occupied West Bank .It’s rational was to bring global public awareness to the criminal activities of the racist fascist supremacist colonial regime the immoral Zionist state built on terrorism, existing through terrorism and continuing to expand through terrorism.

To challenge the illegal siege placed on Gaza by land sea and air by the Zionist project and to expose western governmental complicity in the ongoing wanton murder destabilisation dehumanisation and destruction of Gaza which many if not all of our governments including the United Kingdom are either complicit or playing an active role i Twenty thousand civilians applied to challenge this illegal siege and now over 100 000 have applied to join the next flotilla, risking death injury and imprisonment by simply trying to bring food to a population being starved into submission or death by a rogue monstrous regime he’ll bent on exterminating or dis placing the indigenous population in its furtherance of a greater zionist project at the expense of those who have inhabited the land for several millenia.

A civil response filling a humanitarian vacuum created by a western imperialist system drunk on power money position greed and immorality. We are witnessing the same white Anglo Saxon colonial evisceration of people of colour as we have witnessed in North America Canada New Zealand and Australia to name but a few.

2- From a legal perspective, what are the implications of attempting to breach the Israeli naval blockade — is this considered a legitimate act of civil resistance or a violation of international maritime law?

It is an act of solidarity and love. The flotilla was setting sail for Gaza in my opinion in full compliance with international Maritime law and in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention which places a moral and legal obligation on governments , states, non governmental organisations, companies and individuals to stop a genocide. The flotilla participants were and will again act within and under international law.

In pursuance of that law it was disgraceful that the flotilla participants were not afforded the protection of that law but were kidnapped 74 nautical miles from Gaza in international waters by elements of a rogue nuclear armed fascist state with full disregard and contempt of the same international law the flotilla was adhering too

3- What does the Sumud Fleet represent to UK communities who believe the government has not done enough in response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza?

The British government has not only done nothing to prevent the genocide underway in Gaza in defiance of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention to prevent Genocide it is, with its RAF overflights giving intelligence and targeting information to a state carrying out the Genocide. It is arresting anyone in Britain who challenges the terrorist label being applied to the direct action Palestine Action group arresting journalists and activists who simply oppose this genocide and are actively trying to oppose it. Britain helped create the Zionist state with the Balfour Agreement of 1917 and has pro actively aided this terrorist born state ever since.

4- What is the UK government’s stance on civil society-led missions like this flotilla — and does it align with broader British foreign policy toward Gaza and Israel?

British foreign policy towards Israel is to fully support this European footprint in the Levant. It was describe as a loyal little Ulster in the middle east. Ulster is part of Ireland where I live was partially colonised by the English and Scottish settlers in the seventeenth century and to this day remains under British occupation The Zionist state exists to destabilise the Levant to prevent unity among the Umma and allow continued exploitation of the natural resources of the region for the enrichment of the global North at the expense of the impoverishment of the global South.

That is why Libya was destroyed Syria and Ira. That is why Iran Yemen and Palestine are under attack.That is why terrorism and dictators are supported by the west in Africa ,all for the continued financial corporate occupation of post colonial states. The unofficial position of the UK government on the flotilla appears to be, if you go you are choosing to put yourself in harms way and there will be no tangible help offered by the Foreign and commonwealth office indeed several British members of the flotilla were arrested and interrogated by British security services on their return to the UK

5- How is the Global Sumud Flotilla being portrayed in UK media — and what does this reveal about public discourse and editorial bias around Gaza-related activism?

You might be asking this question from the wrong person. I no longer watch read or listen to the BBC, or the mainstream media .I watch Press Tv, Russia Today, Al Jazeera, podcasts and social media for my news updates. Al Jazeera are very good on Palestine but appear aligned to American foreign policy goals when dealing with any other topic from Venezuela to the Donbas. The media either ignores completely the genocide in Gaza, Whitewashes Zionist war crimes or obfuscated the truth.

Most of western privately owned media is nothing more that a propaganda machine for western domestic and foreign imperialist capitalist designs and policies for their global vision of an Anglo Saxon centrist world. The Zionists have the right to defend themselves while those living under occupation and granted the right under international law to liberate themselves by any and all means necessary are labeled terrorists.

6- Are flotillas like this effective in shaping global public opinion and diplomatic pressure — or are they primarily symbolic actions with limited practical impact?

Let me begin briefly by describing my journey on the road to Palestine the path to Al Quds. Operation Cas’t Lead was a wake up call for me followed by the murder of the ten martyrs on the Mavi Marmara. Six months after those assassinations at sea I was on a George Galloway inspired land convoy to Gaza were I helped deliver a 13 seat wheel chair accessible mini bus to the Al Awda hospital.

I spoke at the grave of Furkin Dogan in Turkey a young dual national Turkish American citizen who was training to be a doctor. His dream was to cure blindness in Africa.to help people regain their sight. He certainly helped open my eyes. I was honoured to speak at his graveside. I said a martyr has fallen, He has dropped the torch who will pick it up I said, I will. After Gaza I was a co founder of a registered charity Palestine Aid in 2010 ,we brand ourselves as Palestine Aid Ireland.

Between March 2024 and September 2025 we have sourced 267,000 meals on the ground in Gaza helping 17,000 people with a food parcel for one week. You ask the value and significance of the flotilla ? Fifteen years after the murderous attack on the Mavi Marmara I have fulfilled my promise at the graveside of Furkin Dogan peace be upon him. I joined the global sumud flotilla to Gaza and God willing I will do so again