Italian MPs back Global Sumud Flotilla’s spring mission

Opposition lawmakers in Italy on Wednesday expressed support for the Global Sumud Flotilla’s "Spring 2026 Mission," describing it as a humanitarian initiative and pledging efforts to ensure its safe passage.

The mission was presented during a press conference in the lower house of parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, attended by MPs from left-wing opposition parties, fleet representatives, pro-Palestinian activists and civil society groups.

Antonio Ferrara, a member of the Five Star Movement (M5S), said public backing for the initiative underscored a widening gap between citizens and governments.

“This fleet has given the world a great lesson in humanity,” he said.

Fellow M5S MP Stefania Ascari, speaking via video link, likewise described the fleet as carrying out a major humanitarian effort.

From the Democratic Party (PD), Laura Boldrini thanked organizers and said lawmakers would closely monitor the mission.

“We will try to do everything necessary at the political and institutional level to ensure the safe journey of this peaceful and humanitarian fleet,” she said.

Boldrini also criticized the failure of European Union foreign ministers to agree on suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement, despite backing from countries including Spain, Ireland and Slovenia.

“This is yet another proof that those who do not want to suspend this agreement are complicit in genocide,” she said.

Marco Grimaldi of the Italian Left party said that during a previous mission in September 2025, Italy’s right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had urged organizers to abandon their plans.

Grimaldi added that the group aimed to enter Palestinian territories rather than Israel and called on the government to facilitate access.

“As long as there is occupation, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid, there can be neither justice nor peace,” he said, also calling for international media access to Gaza.

Maria Elena Delia, the Global Sumud Fleet’s spokesperson in Italy, said the mission was being repeated due to what she described as an ongoing blockade.

“We are setting out again because there is an ongoing blockade — an unlawful blockade. This is not a provocation,” she said.

“It is said that everything is fine in Gaza, that peace has been achieved, and that we can therefore focus on other issues. But this is not the case. Gaza remains, above all, under illegal occupation by Israel.”

Delia added that 800 people had been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire and said the fleet aimed to break the blockade as in previous missions.

Susan Abdallah, from the fleet’s organizing committee, said the situation had persisted for years.

“Genocide has been ongoing for nearly three years, and the occupation has lasted over 70 years,” she said, adding that this placed greater responsibility on those involved in the initiative.