Four Italian Lawmakers Board Aid Flotilla Bound for Gaza

(MENAFN) Four Italian lawmakers are set to join the Global Sumud Flotilla on its mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, with departure slated soon, according to reports from Italian media on Wednesday.

The delegation comprises European Parliament members Benedetta Scuderi and Annalisa Corrado, alongside Democratic Party (PD) lawmaker Arturo Scotto and Five Star Movement (M5S) Senator Marco Croatti, as confirmed by media.

"They decided to put their bodies on the line. Imagine how important this is," said Maria Elena Delia, spokesperson for the Italian delegation of the Global Movement to Gaza, during a Senate conference.

The leadership of the M5S group in the Chamber of Deputies has raised concerns, submitting a parliamentary question to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. They are seeking clarification on what measures the government plans to take to ensure the safety of flotilla participants.

Former Prime Minister and M5S leader Giuseppe Conte called on the Meloni administration to extend diplomatic protection to those involved in the mission, pointing out that Spain had already made similar provisions.

In a show of solidarity, PD leader Elly Schlein voiced her full support for the flotilla's mission. She emphasized its objective of breaking the blockade on aid to Gaza, stating, "The Global Sumud Flotilla is doing what the Italian and European governments should be doing but aren't."

The flotilla, which is transporting both activists and humanitarian supplies to Gaza, departed from Barcelona’s port late Monday, following a weather delay that had caused a temporary return to port on Sunday.

Around 200 activists, politicians, and artists from 44 countries had initially embarked from Barcelona after a large rally in support of the mission. Among those joining the voyage are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Spanish actor Eduardo Fernandez, and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau.

According to organizers, additional ships are set to join the flotilla from Italy and Tunisia, expanding the group to over 500 people and nearly 60 vessels. The convoy aims to reach Gaza by mid-September.

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