Commentary
The flotilla activists created a wave that cannot be stopped
These women and men, on their knees with their hands in the air, couldn’t stop it by themselves. But they did more than many – almost all – governments, starting with Italy’s own.
The images flicker on and off. Before the feed cuts out completely, it shows women and men sitting in a circle on their boat’s deck. They are wearing life jackets, waiting to be boarded.
Then they are boarded. An act of violent piracy, committed under the eyes of the world. It was preceded by a radio message that was yet another confirmation that Israel must distort reality to maintain its impunity: “You are in violation of the law.” That’s what the Israelis told them.
The flotilla arrived peacefully and in full compliance with international law, near the coast of Gaza. Near a strip of land where a genocide has been ongoing for two years without the international community doing anything concrete to stop it. These women and men, on their knees with their hands in the air, couldn’t stop it by themselves. But they did more than many – almost all – governments, starting with Italy’s own.
The flotilla sailed deep into the sea that Israel considers its property, a sea where it seizes, sinks and kills. It was known that they would be boarded this time too, and that it would happen under the cover of darkness. What nobody knew was at how many nautical miles from the coast the attack would come, because Israel considers itself free to decide just how far its domain extends – at sea as on land. In the meantime, however, the humanitarian mission also penetrated deeply into the public consciousness, which followed its journey from afar with growing attention and admiration. Until the very end, for as long as the internet connection on board held, the crews both continued to report on what was happening and also received phone calls and messages of solidarity, gratitude, and encouragement.
The shameful actions of the Italian government, which allowed its own citizens to be attacked – even pulling its naval escort away a day early so as not to get in Israel’s way – stand in stark contrast to the nobility of the flotilla activists. And while we worry for their fate, their message has already come through loud and clear. One cannot choose inaction in the face of the atrocities Israel is committing, not without losing one’s own humanity. And now, there will be many who will no longer choose not to act.
Originally published at https://ilmanifesto.it/non-si-puo-fermare-il-vento on 2025-10-02