Greek activists from the Global Sumud fleet vow to continue supporting Palestine
Greek activists who participated in the Global Sumud Fleet, which set sail to break the blockade on Gaza, announced that they will continue their efforts in support of Palestine even after the recent ceasefire agreement. The activists shared their experiences and views on the future of the Palestinian cause during a press conference held in Athens.
Opening the event, Anastasia Matsouka, a lawyer and member of the pro-Palestinian civil initiative “March to Gaza,” condemned Israel’s attack on the fleet as “illegal under international law.”
“The ceasefire does not mean our mission is over,” Matsouka stated. “This peace agreement will not end the illegal occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, nor will it lift the blockade or dismantle apartheid. It will not change the inhumane conditions faced by Palestinians in Israeli prisons.”
Activist Evgenia Kavvadia stressed that true peace in the region is impossible without resolving the Palestinian issue:
“This ceasefire cannot be trusted. Attacks continue in the West Bank and southern Lebanon. Our eyes remain fixed on Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon, and Palestine.”
Kavvadia also called for the closure of the Souda military base on Crete, announcing plans for a protest on the island over the weekend.
Captain Theodoros Boukas, who was part of the Freedom Flotilla in 2010, emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural, economic, and academic boycotts against Israel.
Another activist, Kleoniki Alexopoulou, rejected public claims that the ceasefire had normalized the situation:
“If we kept saying ‘the war is over, everything is fine,’ we would never make progress. Hunger persists, displacement continues, and destroyed homes are not rebuilt overnight.”
Alexopoulou also shared that Israeli soldiers tore up drawings made by children on the island of Syros that were intended as gifts for Palestinian children, calling it a painful reminder of ongoing injustices.
Journalist Merina Meydani highlighted the dangers faced by the press in conflict zones, noting that over 250 journalists have been killed in Palestine in the past two years — the highest number recorded since the American Civil War.
“If we become desensitized to Gaza’s suffering, we risk facing the same tragedy in our own homes,” Meydani said. “As long as Gaza remains under siege, none of us are truly free.”
The Global Sumud Fleet includes students, academics, retirees, and journalists, united by their shared call for justice and freedom for the Palestinian people. The activists reaffirmed their commitment to continue advocating for Palestine and raising international awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
