The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a multinational convoy of around 40 ships attempting to break Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza, has been shaken by internal disputes and resignations.
The conflicts arose over the participation of queer and ‘LGBT’ activists, which several participants criticized as unrelated to the flotilla’s stated mission.
Khaled Boujemâa–the flotilla’s coordinator–resigned on September 16th in protest against Saif Ayadi, who identifies as a “queer activist.” Activist Mariem Meftah and moderator Samir Elwafi also criticized attempts to push a “culturally progressive agenda” into the mission. Meftah stated that homosexuality is a private matter and that exploiting the “holy cause of Al-Aqsa” for unrelated ideological purposes contradicts Islamic values.
The internal turmoil led Greta Thunberg to step down from the flotilla’s leadership team. She remains on board only as an organizer and volunteer.
Israeli-Swedish journalist David Stavrou has highlighted in the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet that the flotilla includes participants with extremist, antisemitic, and chauvinist views, which raises serious questions about the operation’s true intent.
The flotilla is en route to Gaza via Italy and Greece, claiming to deliver humanitarian aid while challenging Israel’s blockade. Technical problems and bad weather have delayed its departure, and several participants have already left.
Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has linked the flotilla to networks with ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
