Irish activists helping to organise new flotilla trying to get aid to Gaza
The flotilla is set to launch from Spain on 31 August and stop at Tunisia and other countries on 4 September before sailing towards Gaza, with people from more than 44 countries participating.
It comes as a joint statement from 24 countries and the EU denounce the 'famine unfolding before our eyes' in Gaza as Israel severely limits the amount of aid getting into Gaza, leaving people to suffer without enough food or other essential supplies like medicines.
The new Global Sumud Flotilla, organised by the Global Movement to Gaza (GMTG) campaign, aims to break Israel's blockade and raise attention to the starvation happening in Gaza – though Israel is likely to intercept it before it reaches Gaza.
Advertisement
'The people of Ireland are steadfast in our support for the liberation of Palestine,' said Karen Moynihan, GMTG Irish coordinator, in a statement.
'The Global Sumud Flotilla sails with more boats then ever seen before to break the siege on Gaza,' Moynihan said.
'We are calling everyone across Ireland to join the movement and support the flotilla. Citizens of the world are united, and we will not stop until Palestine is free. No one is free until Palestine is free.'
In June, the Freedom Flotilla on the boat the Madleen departed from Sicily with aid and noted activists and politicians on board, including Greta Thunberg.
Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters and detained and later deported those on board.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland must fix infrastructure gaps urgently to secure foreign direct investment
Ireland must address infrastructure gaps with 'great urgency' if it is to successfully attract and grow foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country particularly in light of the new tariff regime coming out of the US, the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland has warned. In its pre-budget submission, the Chamber makes a number of recommendations for the Government to focus in order to make the country a more appealing location for investment. Chief executive of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland Paul Sweetman said with the current 'challenging environment' with tariffs, prompted by US president Donald Trump, competition for investment and talent ' is continuing to increase'. According to the Chamber, 90% of its members surveyed said their corporate headquarters have a positive view of Ireland as an investment location, and 68% said their headquarters already have plans to invest in Ireland over the next five years. It also found that 96% of members said believe the ability to meet climate targets is critical in preserving Ireland's competitiveness, while the same number of respondents expressed concern over the impact that reaching full capacity at Irish airports and ports would have for growth and investment. Mr Sweetman warned that 'infrastructural gaps in key areas including housing, energy and transport are a challenge to Ireland's competitiveness'. The recently announced revised National Development Plan commits to strong investment across a number areas, but it is vital Ireland addresses infrastructure gaps with great urgency. "This can position the country for continued success in attracting and growing foreign direct investment into the future.' On the infrastructure gap, the Chamber said that along with delivering housing, 'critical transport connectivity projects including MetroLink and Dart+' are also needed along with funding to Uisce Éireann to support long-term development projects. The Chamber survey of members found that 98% indicated the availability of housing is a challenge for their employees. In this area it also called for enhancing the electricity grid capacity while supporting renewable energy growth. In the area of taxation, the Chamber has called for tax credits in the areas of digitalisation and decarbonisation as well as the extension of current income tax exemptions and reducing personal tax burdens on employees to support the attraction and retention of talent. The Chamber also called for policies around attracting and retaining talent which includes 'advancing measures to address skills gaps and further support apprenticeships, expanding roles eligible for employment permits and providing an annual budget to support innovation'. Mr Sweetman said that the budget should focus on 'economic levels' within the Government's control. 'Our pre-budget submission outlines smart investment and policy decisions that will best prepare Ireland to leverage opportunities in talent attraction, research and development, digital solutions and energy over the years to come,' he said. 'Winning the next wave of FDI is achievable if Ireland builds upon its existing strengths. This, in turn, will support the growth of the 970 US operations in Ireland, directly employing 210,000 people and a further 169,000 people indirectly.'

The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
Israeli military approves plan for new Gaza offensive
THE ISRAELI MILITARY said on Wednesday that it had approved the framework for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas condemned what it called 'aggressive' Israeli ground incursions in Gaza City. The approved plan for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel's security cabinet called for the capture of the Palestinian territory's largest city following 22 months of war that have created dire humanitarian conditions. Israeli armed forces chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir 'approved the main framework for the IDF's operational plan in the Gaza Strip', a statement released by the army said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has not provided a precise timetable for when Israeli troops will enter Gaza City, where thousands have taken refuge after fleeing previous offensives. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director general of the Hamas government media office in Gaza, told AFP on Wednesday that 'the Israeli occupation forces continue to carry out aggressive incursions in Gaza City'. Gaza's civil defence agency also reported intensified Israeli air strikes on residential neighbourhoods of Gaza City in recent days. Israel's plans to expand its offensive into Gaza City come as diplomacy aimed at securing an elusive ceasefire and hostage release deal has been stalled for weeks, with the latest round of negotiations breaking down in July. Egypt said Tuesday it was still working with fellow Gaza mediators Qatar and the United States to broker a 60-day truce 'with the release of some hostages and some Palestinian detainees, and the flow of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza without restrictions'. Hamas said early Wednesday that a senior delegation had arrived in Cairo for 'preliminary talks' with Egyptian officials. Advertisement Israel's plans to expand the fighting have sparked international outcry as well as domestic opposition. Reserve and retired pilots who served in the Israeli air force rallied on Tuesday in Tel Aviv to demand an end to the conflict. 'This war and expansion will only cause the death of the hostages, death of more Israeli soldiers, and death of many more innocent Palestinians in Gaza,' said Guy Poran, a former air force pilot. Humanitarian aid UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has drastically curtailed the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says at least 235 people including 106 children have died of hunger since the war began in October 2023, with many of the cases recorded in recent weeks. Netanyahu on Tuesday revived calls to 'allow' Palestinians to leave Gaza, telling Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS that 'we are not pushing them out, but we are allowing them to leave'. Past calls to resettle Gazans outside of the war-battered territory, including from US President Donald Trump, have sparked fears of displacement among Palestinians and condemnation from the international community. Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 hostages taken during the attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,722 Palestinians, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza which the United Nations considers reliable.

The Journal
5 hours ago
- The Journal
President Higgins backs Mary Robinson's comments warning governments of ‘complicity' in genocide
PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has backed comments by former president Mary Robinson about governments being 'increasingly complicit' in the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Robinson, along with other members of The Elders, visited the Rafah border crossing in Egypt this week, where she said they witnessed firsthand the devastating conditions in Gaza. The Elders is an independent group of global leaders and advocates, founded by Nelson Mandela. It has called for immediate ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, with the release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners held arbitrarily by Israel. 'Governments that are not using all the tools at their disposal to halt the unfolding genocide in Gaza are increasingly complicit,' Robinson said. Advertisement She added: 'Political leaders have the power and the legal obligation to apply measures to pressure this Israeli government to end its atrocity crimes.' During the visit to the Rafah crossing with Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Robinson said they witnessed aid supplies being blocked from entering Gaza. 'A significant proportion of manifested trucks are turned away with vital supplies. The world needs to know... This has to stop.' Mary Robinson and @HelenClarkNZ witness the devastating reality at the closed Rafah border with Gaza. — The Elders (@TheElders) August 12, 2025 She also recalled accounts of Palestinian civilians, including children, being killed while trying to access desperately needed food and medical help. She stressed the urgent need for all border crossings — including the critical Rafah crossing — to be opened immediately to allow aid to reach those trapped inside Gaza. In a statement this evening, President Higgins remarked that the 'world will thank the Elders for the valuable comments they have made following a visit to the Rafah border crossing'. President Higgins added that Robinson and Clark are 'authoritative figures on famine, hunger and the role of the United Nations'. Related Reads An Gorta Mór: How the horror of forced starvation in Gaza echoes our own cruel past World watches in horror and the IDF is sceptical, so will Netanyahu order full occupation? Gaza famine 'reminiscent of Ethiopia' and 'unlike anything seen this century', says UN's WFP 'Their statements draw attention to the 325,000 children malnourished in Gaza and at risk of death before the end of September,' said President Higgins. Mary Robinson during her visit to the Rafah crossing on Monday. Alamy Alamy 'President Robinson is also right to draw attention to the special treatment needed for malnutrition, drawing on her experience in Somalia in 1992.' In 1992, Robinson visited Somalia as president to raise awareness of the famine in the country. President Higgins added that the statements made by Robinson during her visit to Rafah 'deserve the widest possible circulation'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal