Juliet and Isla Lamont are two Northern Rivers residents among 14 Australians who just departed ports in Italy, setting sail aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla headed to Gaza with critical aid.
In a media release, organisers say, ‘They join the largest humanitarian maritime mission in history, with over thousands participants on more than 80 boats. The flotilla’s mission is to break the naval blockade that has isolated Gaza since 2007, and deliver 500 tonnes of critical aid including medicine, food and baby formula’.
Ethan Floyd, Sydney student and Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man who is aboard the flotilla said: “Our government sends components used in weapons systems that are killing innocent Palestinians. That means we are not separate from this. If harm is being done in our name, then it’s up to ordinary Australians to act. I’m sailing because civilians deserve food, medicine and the chance to live.”
Zack Schofield, climate activist from Newcastle, also aboard the flotilla said: “When a country our Government calls a ‘mate’ deliberately traps and starves children in Palestine, citizens will stand up. Delivering aid is not a crime. Blocking aid is.”
“This is the largest humanitarian naval mission in history and we believe that we have the best chance yet to break Israel’s illegal blockade and reach the shores of Gaza to give material support.
“We have no illusion that this journey will be safe. We’re calling on the Australians back home to support the flotilla by putting pressure on the Australian government to end our complicity in the genocide, and protect the 14 Aussies sailing in the Global Sumud Flotilla.”
‘Flotilla participants and organisers are calling on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong to formally notify Israel that Australian citizens are aboard the flotilla and must not be harmed.
Anny Mokotow, Melbourne academic, grandmother and member of Jews Against the Occupation 48 today said: “As a child of Holocaust survivors, I was taught never to look away from injustice – that ‘never again’ means never again for everyone. Children are being starved. Aid is being blocked. As a Jew, I refuse to let my identity be used to justify this. Let Palestinians live. Let aid flow.”
‘The previous Sumud Flotilla in October 2025 resulted in seven Australians being kidnapped and detained by Israeli defence forces in international waters. Once imprisoned in Israel, they suffered up to ten days of beatings, abuse and humiliation while witnesses far more severe cruelty to Palestinians.
‘But participants say they won’t be deterred. Ethan Floyd: “Every time a flotilla makes it in sight of Gaza and is intercepted by Israel, the political goal is always to deter future participants. But Palestinian children are being bombed and deliberately starved, so we cannot let ourselves be frightened or deterred by these stories.”
Background
‘The Sumud Flotilla is sailing again, bigger than ever, because children in Gaza are being bombed and starved, while food, medicine and aid is being deliberately blocked by Israel. While a “ceasefire” was announced five months ago, the bombardment never stopped and more than 680 people have been killed since.
‘Earlier this month, Israel’s parliament passed death penalty legislation targeting exclusively Palestinians, which Amnesty International described as “another discriminatory tool in Israel’s system of apartheid”.
‘The flotilla is set to sail across the mediterranean sea for a number of days before expecting to reach Israeli patrolled waters in early/mid May (the red zone) where previous flotillas have been intercepted and participants captured.
‘Family of the participants and flotilla organisers are calling on Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to formally notify Israel that Australian citizens are aboard the flotilla and must be kept safe.
Members of the public can write to their politicians with the same message.
‘The Australians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla are: Anny Mokotow – Melbourne; Ethan Floyd – Sydney; Zack Schofield – Newcastle/Sydney; Gemma O’Toole – Melbourne; Helen O’Sullivan – Gold Coast; Violet Coco – Melbourne; Madeline Habib – Tasmania; Surya McEwan – Brisbane; Robert Volker – Rockhampton; Sam Woripa Watson – Brisbane; Juliet Lamont – Northern Rivers; Isla Lamont – Northern Rivers; Bianca Pullman – Melbourne; and Neve O’Connor – Melbourne’.
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