A flotilla of dozens of boats that set sail for Gaza yesterday carrying aid and pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, has returned to port in Barcelona due to stormy weather, organizers say.
“We conducted a sea trial and then returned to port to allow the storm to pass. This meant delaying our departure to avoid risking complications with the smaller boats,” the Global Sumud Flotilla Mission says in a statement, adding winds had been up to around 35 mph (56 kph).
The organizers do not say when they plan to resume the journey.
The maritime convoy departing from the Spanish port city was made up of about 20 boats and delegations from 44 countries, and was claimed to be the largest attempt to date to try and break the blockade on Gaza.
It was not the first time Thunberg has attempted to reach Gaza’s waters this year. Israel deported her in June after the Madleen, the ship she was traveling on with 11 other people, was stopped by the Israel Defense Forces.
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