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Archiv: the Upfront Left (very good guys)
Freedom Flotilla Coalition Confirms Release and Deportation of International Volunteers
[May 21, 2026] The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) confirms that international volunteers abducted by Israeli forces during the unlawful interception of civilian vessels in international waters have now been released and deported. Two Korean nationals were deported to South Korea, one participant was deported to Egypt, two to Jordan, one Israeli citizen was released inside the country, and the remaining 422 participants were transferred to Istanbul aboard three Turkish Airlines flights arranged by the Turkish government.
While we are relieved that participants are no longer in Israeli custody, we reject any attempt to portray the abuse and degrading treatment witnessed by the world over recent days as isolated misconduct or the actions of extremist officials. The brutality broadcast across social media — including deliberate humiliation, threats, physical violence, degrading treatment, and openly dehumanizing rhetoric directed at unarmed civilians — is not an aberration. It is a manifestation of the same system of settler-colonial violence and impunity that Palestinians have endured for decades while being denied their most basic human rights.
The Bill to Dissolve the Knesset Passed Its Preliminary Reading; MK Odeh: ‘The Evil Govt is Ending its Path’
Earlier, a similar bill to dissolve the Knesset, introduced by the Hadash faction, was debated but failed, with 52 opposition lawmakers voting in favor and 61 against. “The worst government ever, responsible for bloodshed on a horrific scale, is coming to an end,” MK Ayman Odeh stated in the Knesset plenum while presenting his faction’s bill. “We are at a historic crossroads,” he emphasized
Albanese: Israel’s actions in Palestine constitute genocide, calls for Israel’s suspension from the UN
(March 8, 2025)
Albanese went on to clarify that UNRWA cannot disappear because it is a UN body protected by international law. „Member states cannot eliminate it by changing laws or cutting funding, as Israel and other countries have attempted. The rights of Palestinian refugees will remain intact because those rights are codified in international law.“
She also raised the issue of Israel’s violations against the UN, citing the destruction of 70% of UN premises in Gaza and the targeting of UNRWA schools, which had been sheltering refugees. „Israel has violated the UN Charter, and it must be held accountable for its actions. I have called for the suspension of Israel‘s credentials in the UN because of its disregard for international rules and laws. Israel has destroyed or damaged UN premises, targeted shelters, and accused the UN of terrorism.“
Israel Illegally Attacked and Boarded FFC Boats in International Waters
The largest civilian flotilla in the history of support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank was illegally attacked and boarded by Israeli navy forces, beginning at 10:30am Türkiye time, Monday, May 18, 2026.
Multiple large Israeli warships disgorged a large number of zodiac boats filled with combat laden Israeli Offensive Forces.
At this point, nine hours into the illegal attack, the combat Israeli military personnel forcefully boarded 27 of the ships in the flotilla organized by Global Sumud Flotilla, Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association.
US Rep. Thomas Massie loses Kentucky GOP primary to Ed Gallrein in another victory for Trump
Trump handpicked and endorsed Ed Gallrein, whose victory demonstrated the president’s influence over GOP voters and growing frustration with Massie’s opposition to Trump. In recent weeks several other Republicans have been defeated by Trump-endorsed challengers, including Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and several Indiana state senators who defied him on redistricting.
As AIPAC Spends Millions to Oust Him, Massie Unveils Bill Requiring Pro-Israel Lobby to Register as Foreign Agent
As the Israel lobby attempts to end his political career, the Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has introduced a bill that would require lobbyists working for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, commonly known as AIPAC, to register as foreign agents.
The bill, known as the Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity (AIPAC) Act, would amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA), which requires those working to influence government policy on behalf of a foreign power to register with the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
On Politics, Ideology and Anti-Zionism
Moreover, we have allies in Israel and around the world, who share the same fundamental political goals we strive for – self-determination for the Palestinian people, the end of the occupation, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, and the rejection of all discrimination against Palestinians in Israel. Some of these allies consider themselves Zionist, because they subscribe to a minimalist understanding of Zionism – self-determination for a Jewish collective in Israel. This right was recognized by the international community in the 1947 partition plan of Palestine and was realized by the state of Israel itself.
We do not reject this right, yet as Friedrich Engels said: “A people which oppresses another cannot emancipate itself.” Israel is still preventing the right of self-determination for Palestinians – the right for an independent Palestinian state with real borders and an end to the suffering. We need to work together with those who believe in the rights of both peoples – and some of them are Zionists.
We also know that when a political solution is achieved, it will not be after Jewish Israelis reject Zionism, but when they decide that their collective and individual interests lie on the side of peace. We are materialists – we assert that Zionism, the ideology, will only be overcome after we begin to dismantle its material basis – that of apartheid and colonization.
Therefore, our focus must remain on practical actions against this reality – and not symbolic politics of denunciation. In the German case, this means advocating for concrete actions such as a ban on settlement products import, the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement, and a complete ban on arms supply to Israel. These actions could challenge Zionism much more than the adoption of the antizionist label.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition Launches Boats for New Phase of Gaza Flotilla Mission
On May 13, 2026, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is launching five vessels — Adalah, Kyriakos X, Lina Al Nabulsi, PERSEVERANCE and Tenaz Love Aqsa Bangladesh — from a Greek island as part of the broader international flotilla effort to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza and challenge the impunity enabling genocide, starvation, and the wholesale erasure of the Palestinian people. These vessels will join approximately 55 additional boats departing from Marmaris, Türkiye. While our five boats (sailing under French, Italian and Polish flags) carry symbolic amounts of food and medicine, we are not an aid organization. We sail in defiance of a brutal and unlawful blockade designed to isolate, imprison, and persecute Palestinians, and in rejection of the international community’s failure to stop Israel’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.
Occupation Soldiers Detained Solidarity Delegations Supporting Palestinian Victims of Settlers Terror
he delegations to Bethlehem and the Jordan Valley, were stopped by soldiers and police officers, and activists held protests on the scene. In other areas, activities proceeded as planned. “While settler terror gangs operated across the West Bank unhindered, the police and army blocked hundreds of activists this morning who came to demonstrate solidarity with the victims,” one of the participants told Zo Haderekh.
Hundreds of activists from a wide range of organizations took part in the protest, including Partnership for Peace, Rabbis for Human Rights, Peace Now, Hadash, Zazim, The Parents Circle-Families Forum, Standing Together, Jordan Valley Activists, Looking the Occupation in the Eye, Women Wage Peace, A Land for All, Combatants for Peace, Breaking the Silence, and Mothers Against Violence.
Partnership for Peace stated: “Hundreds of Israelis who set out to oppose terror and demand the state enforce the law in the occupied territories were detained at all checkpoints. It was proven that when the army wants to, it can act efficiently. We expect authorities to show the same determination in protecting innocent people who undergo daily violent pogrom attacks. We will not stop striving for peace, justice, and equality for all residents of the region.” “We will continue the struggle against the occupation and ethnic cleansing! They will not succeed in stopping us!” they emphasized.
MK Odeh: Will do Everything to Prevent Smotrich-Netanyahu-Ben Gvir from Continuing in Power
Smotrich’s comments drew immediate condemnation from the opposition, with Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas asserting that “human life holds no value in his eyes”. MK Ayman Odeh, the chairman of Hadash-Ta’al parliamentary faction, also slammed Smotrich, declaring on X that “what the racists and Kahanists say is not important, what matters is what we will do.” “And we, the Arab citizens, together with the democratic Jews, will do everything, simply everything, to prevent Smotrich-Netanyahu-Ben Gvir from continuing to another term,” Odeh wrote.
BREAKING: israeli Forces Attempting to Intercept Freedom Flotilla Coalition Boats off the Coast of Greece; U.S. Lockheed Martin Aircraft and Drones Circle FFC Vessels
May 4, 2026 – MEDITERRANEAN SEA — The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has received harrowing field reports confirming that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) fleet, currently off the Coast of Greece to join the GSF in a unified mission to Gaza, is under active military surveillance and intimidation. Chronology of Tactical Escalation:
– 19:27 Palestine Time: Four FFC vessels reported a military helicopter circling their position.
– 21:53 Palestine Time: Participants reported the presence of three drones and an unidentified ship in the distance that has deliberately turned off its navigation lights.
– Tactical Surveillance: Marine Traffic data confirms a U.S. Lockheed Martin plane flew directly over the fleet shortly before the latest escalation.
– Current Status: Participants now report seeing unidentified boats and white lights approaching the FFC fleet from the rear.
Freedom Flotilla Defies Israeli Piracy and Terror at Sea, Launches New Vessels from Siracusa
SICILY | May 2, 2026 — Just days after Israel’s assault on unarmed civilian vessels in international waters near Crete, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is pressing forward—not retreating. Today, four new vessels launched from Siracusa, determined not to give in to Israel’s violence and brutality.
Israel’s April 29 attack, carried out over 600 nautical miles (over 1100 km) from its shores, was not an act of “security.” It was piracy. It was state terrorism on the high seas. Sadly, the attack was not an isolated incident, but a pattern of lawlessness and aggression that has been enabled, normalized, and shielded by international inaction.
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The Freedom Flotilla Coalition calls on the international community, civil society, and the media to demand accountability for Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla. We call on all governments to guarantee safe passage for flotilla vessels and to uphold the basic principles of international law. And we call on all people of conscience: do not look away. We will not be deterred. We will not be silenced.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition Calls for the Immediate Release of Global Sumud Flotilla Organizers
We are particularly alarmed by the risk of abuse they now face in Israeli custody. Past treatment of detained flotilla participants has included documented cases of beatings, coercion, sexual assault, and rape. Given this record, there are serious concerns that Saif and Thiago could be subjected to similar violations, including torture or other forms of ill-treatment.
The reported attempt to link Saif Abu Kishek to “terrorism” follows Israel’s well-established pattern of using baseless security allegations to justify the repression of Palestinians and those in solidarity with them. Such accusations must be viewed in light of Israel’s systematic discrimination and apartheid regime.
This incident is yet another example of Israel’s ongoing disregard for international law. The global community cannot continue to respond with silence and inaction. States have a legal and moral obligation to act to uphold the rule of law, to ensure accountability, and to bring an end to Israel’s unchecked aggression and crimes against humanity.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition stands in full solidarity with Saif, Thiago, and all those who risk their safety to defend freedom, dignity, and human rights.
Thousands Participated in the People’s Peace Conference in Tel Aviv
(May 1, 2026)
More than 4,000 people participated yesterday, Thursday, April 30, in the People’s Peace Conference held at the Expo Tel Aviv, initiated by the “It’s Time” coalition. Over 80 organizations, movements, and non-profits took part in the event, which was dedicated to building public support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, ending the occupation, and achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace. This is the third annual conference organized by the coalition, following large-scale events held at the Tel Aviv Arena and the International Convention Center in Jerusalem in 2024 and 2025.
Turkish activist slams Israel’s illegal interception of Gaza aid flotilla, calls it ‘piracy’
Turkish activist Suayb Ordu says Israeli forces “kidnapped” Global Sumud Flotilla activists in international waters, calling it an “outright piracy.”
Ordu emphasised that they were subjected to torture and abuse by Israel, being forced to cram into containers and treated like “animals.”
On Wednesday, Israeli forces seized 22 Gaza-bound ships carrying humanitarian aid and detained over 180 activists, in what organisers from the Global Sumud Flotilla described as an act of “piracy”.
israel Detains Flotilla Participants In International Waters– Exporting Its Tactics of Engineered Destruction
April 30, 2026 – Mediterranean Sea – Last night, the world witnessed israel exporting its military’s doctrine of engineered abandonment as israeli naval forces intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled and destroyed various boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla. In a violent raid in international waters.
Over 180 civilians from around the world have been directly attacked. After detaining participants, smashing an engine and jamming communications, the IOF retreated, kidnapping participants or intentionally leaving civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels directly in the path of a massive approaching storm.
The logic deployed by israel last night is a snapshot into the relentless years-long campaign of starvation and slaughter of Palestinians: they actively carry out the massacres and war crimes with impunity, or sabotage the means of survival, leaving it to „nature“ or „circumstance“ to finish the job. The world cannot watch as israel continues its genocide of Palestinians and violates countless international laws with impunity.
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GSF Livestream
MK Cassif: “Right has found its right-hand man”
When asked if a government could be formed “without the support of MKs Ahmad Tibi or Aida Touma-Sliman” from the Hadash-Ta’al faction, Bennett replied: “We have a large majority even without them.” This statement comes despite a series of recent polls indicating that the Zionist parties opposing Netanyahu are unlikely to secure a majority without the support of Hadash and the Arab parties. (…)
Following the unification, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the new “Yashar” party, called this morning for a meeting of opposition leaders excluding Hadash and Islamist Ra’am, “in order to ensure victory through Zionist and statesmanlike votes without Arabs.” In his announcement, Eisenkot mentioned the leaders of the “Together” list, Bennett and Lapid, as well as Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman and The Democrats leader Yair Golan.
Global Sumud Flotilla Expands by 50% in Italy as Dozens of Additional Boats Join Growing Civilian Fleet Bound for Gaza
April 23, 2026 — Siracusa, Italy – On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Global Sumud Flotilla enters a new phase of escalation as vessels from Barcelona and across Italy converge at Marina di Siracusa, forming a significantly expanded unified fleet preparing to continue its journey toward Gaza.
With 25 additional boats joining in Italy, the flotilla now exceeds the size of last year’s entire mission, signaling growing international participation and intensifying civilian pressure to challenge Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza. With two additional ports still ahead, the mission continues to build in scale, coordination, and global visibility.
Outrage After Israeli Soldier Smashing Jesus Statue in Lebanon
Commenting on social media, Hadash-Ta’al chair MK Ayman Odeh wrote pointedly: “We’ll wait to hear the police spokesperson claim that ‘the soldier felt threatened by Jesus’.”
Chuck Schumer was one of 7 Senate Democrats to vote to send bulldozers to Israel. 40 Democratic Senators voted no. Mr. Schumer, you are out of touch with our base and the nation. Step aside.
(April 16, 2026)
Global Sumud Flotilla Confirms Programme Details and Media Access in Advance of Sicily Launch
Barcelona / Brussels / Rome / Sicily – As the first boats set sail from Barcelona heading east, accompanied by Open Arms and Greenpeace‘s Arctic Sunrise, a week of mobilisations begins both inside and beyond Italy. Public events, press conferences, institutional meetings, cultural initiatives and more will take place in Augusta, Catania, Castellammare del Golfo, Siracusa and Rome (Italy), as well as in Brussels (Belgium). At every stage, new boats and new participants from around the world will join the mission.
These events will take place against a backdrop of rising political tensions in Italy and Europe, as the international diplomatic landscape shifts amid mounting political pressure, parliamentary questions, and the recent decisions of the Italian government regarding military cooperation with the Israeli regime.
In this context, every port the flotilla passes through brings with it visibility, participation and political consequences, as the flotilla enters the next phase leaving Italy from Siracusa on April 24.
Follow the vessels‘ movements on the Flotilla Tracker.
In Dead of Night, Johnson Tries—But Fails—to Ram Through Domestic Spying Bill for Trump
In the 228-197 final vote, a total of four Democrats—Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, and Thomas R. Suozzi of New York—joined with all but 25 Republicans who voted to pass a 10-day extension. Twenty GOP members voted against it, while five did not vote.
Ahead of the votes—including on separate versions asking for a 5-year and then 18-month extensions of Section 702—opponents of any clean extension, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), said anyone opposed to warrantless spying on Americans must vote no.
CPI and Hadash: The Ceasefire Is a Critical Step that Must Become a Permanent Peace
The Communist Party of Israel and the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) condemned on Wednesday evening, April 8, “the heinous and horrific massacre committed by the far-right Israeli government in Lebanon, only hours after the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in the war. This is a clear sign of the crisis facing war criminals, whose aggressive policies repeatedly fail to establish what they term the New World Order. Furthermore, Netanyahu and his government understand that ending the war signifies the collapse of their legitimacy and the end of their time in power.”
“We view the ceasefire in the war with Iran as a crucial development that must be maintained, defended, and turned into a standing agreement that guarantees peace and rights for the peoples of the region, while standing firm against any Israeli attempt to thwart it. We emphasize that this war has once again exposed the failure of the policies of aggression and the imperialist bullying of the US and Israel. It has proven that the logic of force, destruction, and occupation does not create security or stability, but rather drags the entire region into further ruin and bloodshed. We reaffirm that the only path to security, stability, and a better future for all peoples of the land and the region is not the path of war and aggression, but a political path based on ending the occupation—as it is the heart of the regional conflict—and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in all territories occupied by Israel in June 1967,” they said in the common communique.
MK Odeh After Cease-Fire was Announced: ‘Netanyahu is a Liar and an International Pyromaniac’
On Wednesday morning, Hadash MK Ofer Cassif said, “Congratulations to the brilliant duo, Orange & Purple, on their impressive list of achievements (economic, strategic & political), culminating in finding the lost key to the Strait of Hormuz. We warned from the very beginning that this was nothing more than a futile and pointless war of deception that would only lead to bloodshed, widowhood, orphanhood, and devastation, without achieving anything. No to occupation, yes to peace.”
According to Hadash MK Ayman Odeh, “Israel should learn three main lessons from the war: To recognize the limitations of power. There is no stability in the region without Israeli-Palestinian peace and Netanyahu is a liar and an international pyromaniac,” he wrote.
One Month Later- Free The Tunisian 7
On March 6th, 2026, an arrest campaign was started that shook the pro-Palestinian landscape in Tunisia. Seven activists, some of whom put their own bodies on the line for the possibility of breaking the illegal siege on Gaza, were arrested and sent to prison on what appear to be unfounded charges. Let’s say their names:
• Jawaher Channa
• Wael Nawar – Member of the Global Steering Committee
• Ghassan Henchiri
• Ghassan Boughediri
• Sana Msahli
• Dr. Mohamed Amine Ben Nour
• Nabil Chennoufi – Member of the Global Steering Committee
Each of these 7 activists have played a vital role in the unprecedented GSF mission that was launched from Sidi Bou Said Port, Tunisia in September of 2025, an act that is protected under international law. Their mission was simply to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged people of Gaza and to establish a humanitarian corridor.