Italy and Spain have taken a historic step this week by sending naval vessels to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla, a mission aimed at breaking Israel’s long-standing siege of Gaza. This unprecedented move comes in the wake of escalating violence against the flotilla, including a drone attack that occurred early Wednesday, widely believed to be orchestrated by Israel. Despite the gravity of the situation, the Israeli government has yet to comment on its involvement.
As tensions mount, Israeli officials have ramped up their rhetoric against the flotilla. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has labeled the activists on board as “terrorists,” suggesting they should be treated accordingly. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has gone further, denouncing the flotilla’s efforts to deliver humanitarian aid as a “jihadist initiative,” further complicating an already fraught situation.
With the flotilla nearing Gaza, concerns about its safety have intensified. The Global Sumud Flotilla has warned of an “imminent” Israeli attack, with Israel stating it will “not allow any vessel to enter the active combat zone” and breach its naval blockade. Previous attempts to deliver aid to Gaza have been met with force, with Israeli forces intercepting three similar missions earlier this year. Each interception resulted in the crews being detained, raising serious questions about the flotilla’s ability to fulfill its humanitarian mission.
Speaking outside the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a vocal critic of Israel, emphasized the importance of upholding international law and ensuring the safety of citizens navigating the Mediterranean. He stated, “The government of Spain demands that international law be complied with and that the right of its citizens to navigate the Mediterranean under safe conditions be respected.” Following this declaration, Spain dispatched a patrol vessel, the Furor, from Cartagena to the eastern Mediterranean.
Italy’s position, however, is more ambiguous. Although there are Italian citizens, including members of parliament, aboard the flotilla, the right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has historically aligned with Israel. Meloni described the flotilla’s mission as “gratuitous, dangerous and irresponsible,” suggesting that aid should be transferred in Cyprus to be distributed by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a proposal rejected by the flotilla’s organizers. Yet, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto characterized the deployment of naval support as “an act of humanity,” affirming that it is not an act of war but a duty to protect citizens.
Support for Palestine is deeply rooted in both Spain and Italy, where large pro-Palestinian movements have emerged in response to the ongoing violence in Gaza. Mass protests and port blockades took place in Italy over the weekend, signaling significant public support for the Palestinian cause, despite the government’s reluctance to recognize Palestinian statehood. In Spain, Prime Minister Sanchez has taken a strong stance, endorsing a complete arms embargo on Israel and advocating for the country’s exclusion from international sporting events. This month, protests erupted in response to a cycling team representing Israel, receiving backing from Sanchez himself.
The naval vessels dispatched by Italy and Spain serve a dual purpose: to aid the flotilla and potentially deter Israeli aggression. Italy sent the frigate Virginio Fasan, which was later replaced by the Alpino, while Spain’s patrol vessel, Furor, is now en route to the eastern Mediterranean. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed that Spain accepted a request from Belgium to assist its citizens aboard the flotilla and is in talks with Ireland for similar support.
Legally, the flotilla’s mission is backed by international law, which protects civilians engaged in delivering humanitarian aid under the Geneva Convention. The flotilla’s organizers argue that any attack on their vessels would violate both international law and a provisional order issued by the International Court of Justice in January 2024, which mandated that Israel allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Additionally, the flotilla is protected under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation and “innocent passage” in territorial waters, provided that the flotilla does not threaten peace or security.
In practice, the Italian and Spanish vessels are expected to operate within strict legal limits, primarily serving to deter aggression and assist in search and rescue operations without encroaching upon Israeli territory. As the flotilla continues its mission, the international community watches closely, with the hope that humanitarian efforts can proceed without further violence and that the plight of the people in Gaza will not be ignored.
