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Global Sumud - Netherlands

Part of the Global Sumud Flotilla
Nonviolent civil resistance to break the siege on Gaza and deliver aid by sea.

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Our Mission

We are building a broad civil movement to sail in solidarity with the people of Gaza and to end the siege. Our Dutch delegation works alongside international partners to deliver aid, raise awareness and demand justice.

Who We Are – Global Sumud - Netherlands

The Global Sumud - Netherlands is a grassroots coalition of people and groups from around the world dedicated to ending the blockade of Gaza.

From sailors and engineers to medics and organizers, we unite under a shared commitment to nonviolent action and mutual aid.

Our Dutch delegation works in solidarity with international partners to sail, deliver aid, and amplify the voices of Palestinians.

Together, we challenge the status quo and build a global community striving for justice, dignity, and freedom for Gaza.

Support from Land

Not everyone can join by sea — and that's okay. We're organizing powerful parallel actions from the Netherlands and beyond:

  • Protests at embassies and government buildings
  • Sit-ins and flash mobs
  • Media campaigns and public stunts
  • Legal challenges
  • Cultural actions (art, music, poetry for Gaza)

Want to plan an action with us?
Contact the parallel actions coordinator

Call for free passage for the Global Sumud Flotilla!

Together, let's take the next step: send emails to those in power and put pressure on them! The more people who call for free passage for the Global Sumud Flotilla, the greater the pressure on politicians to respond, and the greater the chance that the boats can actually deliver aid to Gaza.

📧 Join the email campaign (Dutch)

Press & Publicity

We are available for interviews, press requests, and media partnerships.

📧 press@globalmovementtogaza.nl
📱 Instagram:@netherlands_globalsumud NL

Q&A

What is the Global Sumud Flotilla?
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is a coordinated, nonviolent civilian fleet made up of dozens of small to mid-size boats sailing from multiple Mediterranean ports to break the Israeli siege on Gaza. Backed by delegations from over 44 countries, this is the largest collective sea mission since the siege began in 2007. It unites regional initiatives like the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and Global March to Gaza.
Why go by sea? Why not use land routes?
Israel's siege is total, by land, sea, and air. Land crossings are heavily restricted, manipulated, or outright blocked by Israel and its allies. Aid is often delayed or turned into a tool of control. By sailing, we bypass those barriers, confront the blockade directly, and send a political message: Gaza's isolation is not natural, it is enforced, and it must end.
Isn't this dangerous? Could the flotilla be attacked?
There are risks. But the greater risk is silence. Israel has used deadly force against past flotillas, but global coordination, legal preparation, and international visibility raise the political cost of aggression. Participants undergo nonviolence training, vetting, and safety protocols. And ultimately, the risk we take is nothing compared to the daily terror Gazans face—bombardment, starvation, displacement.
What kind of boats are used?
We use small to mid-sized vessels—agile, fast, legally viable, and harder to obstruct. Each is overseen by a regional delegation and supported by a coalition with legal, nautical, and logistical expertise. One example: the boat Madleen, part of earlier successful flotilla missions.
Who is involved in this mission?
The flotilla includes doctors, lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders, as well as artists, students, trade unionists, and civil society leaders. Regional coalitions like Sumud Nusantara from Southeast Asia are participating, officially supported by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Thousands of supporters on land are organizing solidarity actions worldwide.
Can I join? What roles are needed?
Yes. You can apply to sail with a regional boat delegation, join as crew if you have maritime experience, support by donating or fundraising, organize a solidarity protest, or join a ground team in media, logistics, or outreach. Everyone has a role.
Is this legal?
Yes. Under international law, civilian vessels in international waters engaging in peaceful protest or delivering humanitarian aid are protected. The siege of Gaza is a form of collective punishment, which violates the Geneva Conventions. Any Israeli interception of the flotilla would constitute an act of piracy.
Why not just use one large ship?
Large ships are expensive, slow, and more vulnerable to legal and diplomatic obstruction. Our decentralized model—using many small boats—allows for agility, faster deployment, resilience, and grassroots participation. If a large ship aligns with our goals, it may join, but the strength of the flotilla is in its scale and structure.

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