13 October 2025

FOA honour and salute the Global Sumud Flotilla and the hundreds of volunteers who sailed to deliver humanitarian aid and to bear witness to the desperate situation in Gaza.

Your courage to put lives and conscience before comfort, to cross oceans in peaceful solidarity, and to insist that civilians and civilians’ aid must be allowed to reach those who are starving and wounded, is an example to the world.

FOA recognise that the flotilla faced a hard and dangerous response from the occupying Israeli power. Israel violated international law and intercepted the convoy, mistreated the peace activists and detained them. FOA condemns these Israeli violations and the abuse of peace activists delivering aid.

To every crew member, volunteer and backup team, a big thank you. Thank you for your bravery and your solidarity with innocent Gazans under siege and genocide. Thank you for your refusal to let the Israeli genocide and starvation policies go unseen.

The world must protect people like yourselves who act to save lives and deliver aid, and international bodies must investigate Israel for war crimes and crimes against subjugating peaceful activists.

FOA stand in solidarity and deep respect for your steadfastness. You have inspired countless people around the world to keep raising their voices for justice, dignity, and the basic human rights of the people of Gaza. We stand with you, and we thank you.

Dr Ismail Patel

Chair, Friends of Al-Aqsa