SHOTLIST:

BARCELONA, SPAIN (AUG. 31, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS LYING ON GROUND TO REPRESENT KILLED GAZANS
/ BANNERS DEPICTING NETANYAHU WITH BLOODY HANDS
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUG. 31: An international flotilla carrying more than 300 people set sail from Barcelona in a bid to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza in the second year of genocide in the territory.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic word for “steadfastness,” consists of about 20 boats with activists, doctors, journalists, campaigners, and artists from more than 44 countries. The convoy will sail across the Mediterranean via Italy, Greece and Tunisia before attempting to reach Gaza.

Barcelona, which earlier this year cut all institutional ties with Israel over what it described as genocide in Gaza, became the symbolic departure point.

Among those on board are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Spanish actor Eduardo Fernandez and the city’s former mayor Ada Colau.

-‘Clear example of genocide’

Speaking before departure, Thunberg described Gaza as “a clear example of oppression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing.”

She added: “Israel is killing, and the whole world is watching this genocide live. I am horrified to see people continue with their lives and act as if nothing is happening while watching genocide unfold live on their phones. Israel wants to wipe out the Palestinian people. If this does not push people to take action, get up from their couches, and organize, then I don’t know what will.”

Thunberg said governments that remained silent were “as guilty as Israel itself” and stressed that “to reach Gaza and secure a humanitarian corridor, every possible way must be tried.”

Asked about the risk of Israeli interception, she said: “We have a Plan B. To turn back and start again. This is a clean mission, a humanitarian mission.”

She continued: “There is nothing new we can say about Gaza. But every day more people are waking up and realizing the scale of Israel’s massacres and genocide. Today’s news is not that this flotilla is setting out, but rather how the world can remain silent and how politicians can betray and abandon the Palestinian people.”



- ‘Gaza is a mirror reflecting all of us’

Spanish actor Fernandez said: “Whether we like it or not, Gaza is a mirror reflecting all of us. It is impossible not to take a position here. Every boat sailing toward Gaza is a cry for human dignity. This mission is not a threat; it is an act of humanity against barbarity. Silence is complicity. And silence kills as much as bombs do.”

Irish actor Cunningham shared the image of a Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, urging governments to impose sanctions on Israel.

“The international community, governments must impose sanctions on Israel to stop this genocide. What has happened so far — silence and inaction — reflects the world’s failure and marks a shameful period in history,” he said.

Colau, who as mayor led Barcelona to cut ties with Israel, said: “International civilian mobilization has forced cowardly institutions — too afraid to act — to take a stand. Israel is killing children, humanity, and international law. Gaza is not alone.”

Activists Yasemin Acar, Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek stressed that the mission was “entirely peaceful and humanitarian,” urging immediate sanctions on Israel and the opening of a humanitarian corridor.

“This is a mission of solidarity. Why don’t governments act? Why is a humanitarian corridor not being opened? Sanctions against Israel must be imposed immediately.

Ethnic cleansing in Palestine did not start 23 months ago — Israel has been committing ethnic cleansing since 1948. International civilian mobilization will always stand with the Palestinian people,” they said.



- Symbol of steadfastness

Hundreds gathered at Barcelona port to wave off the flotilla, many holding Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine” and “Boycott Israel.” The departure drew broad coverage from international media.

The flotilla takes its name from Sumud, a concept that emerged among Palestinians after the 1967 Six-Day War to describe resilience and non-violent resistance through remaining on their land, preserving culture and building alternative institutions.

In Palestinian art, it is often symbolized by the olive tree or the image of a pregnant peasant woman.