ThoseSwiss solidarity
Gaza blockade: Swiss participate in a global humanitarian flotilla
The international coalition, the march of which has been stopped in Cairo, plans to send dozens of humanitarian boats to Gaza, including the “Heidi” and “Guillaume Tell”.
Geneva, August 12, 2025. From left to right: Shady Ammane, national coordinator, Samuel Crettenand, international coordinator, and Hicham El Ghaoui, president of the Swiss association Waves of Freedom, during the press conference to discuss the Swiss participation in the Global Humanitarian Flud Flotilla. © Magali Girardin
Magali Girardin
- A flotilla that could count dozens, even hundreds of boats, wants to break the blockade of Gaza.
- Swiss intend to participate in this pacifist and humanitarian initiative with five ships.
- They will transport infant milk and water filters.
- The flotilla must leave on August 31 of Barcelona, and September 4 from Tunis.
Three boats have already been purchased out of five that the Swiss delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla wants to sail until Gaza on August 31. This international initiative is “the most important action in civil society that has ever existed,” says Genevois Shady Ammane, of Waves of freedom. Tuesday in Geneva, this Swiss association presented its approach to the press.
It intends to put the sails for the enclave with approximately 5 tonnes of infantile milk powder and water filters, as well as ten to fifteen passengers per boat. This delegation is one of the 44, made up in as many countries, making up the global movement for Gaza.
This coalition organized the world march towards Gaza In June, which intended to break the blockade by the earth, but of which the 4000 to 6000 participants were suddenly stopped in Cairo.
This aborted march made it possible to “break the silence,” said the president of Waves of Freedom, the doctor of Verbier Hicham El Ghaoui.
The momentum has not been held back. On the contrary, since the desire to enter the enclave, this time by the sea, already seduces 18,000 people of more than 160 nationalities. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg will be there, it whose attempt aboard the Mased has already failed in June.
In July, a second humanitarian ship, the To give upwas in turn arranged in international waters by Israel.
Barcelona, Tunis …
Part of the Flotilla Sumud will leave Barcelona on August 31. Another, Tunis on September 4. Other starting ports could be defined. The flotilla aims to be “100% pacifist”, bringing humanitarian aid and medical equipment.
The Swiss will focus on infant milk. “Women no longer have enough fat to feed their children, who are condemned,” said the Neuchâtel Samuel Crettenand. He said: “Faced with genocide, governments are resigned, but citizens act with their hearts.”
Nearly 600 people in Switzerland, mainly in Romandie, have already noted their wish to participate in the adventure, two thirds of which want to board and the others by helping from the Earth.
The selection will be rigorous, including interviews and checks, to avoid as much as possible as passengers lose their composure in front of Israeli commandos who are waiting for that to open fire, according to Waves of Freedom.
Training is also planned to find out how (do not) react.
Mortal risks
Waves of Freedom invites the press to its boats, to offer an echo to the process, but also to serve as protection. The association also challenges the authorities. “We ask the Confederation to protect ourselves against our future kidnapping,” warns Hicham El Ghaoui.
Samuel Crettenand says he is aware of the risks, including deadly, but believes that “faced with absolute horror in Gaza”, they are worth it.
These activists do not judge their chances of success zero, in view of the dozens, even “hundreds” of boats, or possible favorable geopolitical developments.
But even if infantile milk would arrive safely, it would only be “a grain of sand”, notes Shady Ammane. According to him, the initiative is above all “symbolic”, aimed at “paving the way”.
Hicham El Ghaoui declares that “people die of hunger a few meters from very many trucks filled with food, blocked by Israel”. This doctor, who carried out several humanitarian missions in Gaza, said today “on a red list, prohibited from entry for having testified to hell”.
He said he held innumerable in his hands “disgusted infants. But we can’t do anything, because there is nothing to treat them. ” If he still manages to sleep and not to completely lose faith in humanity, he testifies, it is because he remembers the generosity of the Gazaouis, despite the total destitution, and thanks to a civil society which rises all over the world.
Among the many donors, a doctor from Sion offered 200,000 francs for the purchase of boats. The association still needs donations to acquire two and infant milk. She also searches for captains and sailors to pilot ships, as well as doctors.
The Vagues de la Liberté association has unveiled the names of two boats: Heidi et Guillaume Tell.
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