Boat sets sail from Bristol to break Israel’s siege of Gaza

A boat named "Kate" has departed from Bristol, England, embarking on a mission to challenge Israel's blockade on Gaza. Supporters gathered at Hannover Quay, a progressive city in Bristol, to bid farewell to the 12 activists aboard the vessel. Among them were Swee Ang, a doctor and founder of Medical Aid for Palestinians; Welsh nurse Leigh Evans, who was filmed kneeling before Egyptian soldiers pleading for aid to be allowed into Gaza; and David Miller, a professor who recently won a legal battle against his anti-Zionist views.

Irish sailor Fiacc O Brolchain, the captain of the flotilla, recounted being detained by Israeli forces earlier this year after losing his hearing aids during interrogation. He repeatedly pleaded, "I can't hear you; you took my hearing aids."

Frank Romano, an international lawyer and member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, reported that since 2023, Israeli forces have intercepted and detained over 75 solidarity ships. Romano himself owns "Handala," a vessel named after a character by Palestinian artist Naji Al-Ali, which was intercepted in July 2025. The Global Sumud Flotilla, a collective effort costing $24 million, launched its inaugural mission last year and another extensive expedition in April.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg joined the movement and was among the passengers detained by Israel when their boat, the Alma, was intercepted. Thunberg, along with others, claims to have endured physical and psychological abuse during detention, a claim Israel denies.

Colm Byrne, an Irish activist setting sail again after previous attempts, described the treatment of flotilla members as they were intercepted in April. Byrne stated that Israeli forces violently assaulted and humiliated the participants, forcing them into painful postures, making them kneel for hours with their hands tied behind their backs, and walking on their knees or face the threat of being slapped.

Byrne acknowledged that while the mistreatment paled in comparison to the conditions endured by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, it was still humiliating.