On Wednesday, the Barcelona City Council issued a strong statement addressed to the Spanish government, demanding that it ensure the safety of the vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission, which are currently located near the Gaza Strip. On board one of the boats is ERC city council member Jordi Coronas, while another carries former mayor Ada Colau. This situation has prompted some council members to call for special protection measures for the participants of the expedition.
Tensions around the flotilla escalated after two vessels were attacked by drones several days ago. Additionally, Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, publicly threatened to label the mission’s participants as terrorists. In response, ERC and BComú representatives called for an emergency meeting to urge the municipality to formally request support from the central authorities.
Following the discussion, the initiative was also supported by the Socialists of PSC. Representatives of PP and Vox voted against, while Junts abstained. The adopted document calls on Pedro Sánchez to not only use diplomatic channels but also to take concrete steps to protect the flotilla. The council also demands an investigation into the drone attacks and the cessation of all diplomatic and trade relations with Israel.
The debate in the chamber was heated. BComú representative Mar Serra sharply criticized the position of Madrid region leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who defended the holding of the Vuelta a España cycling race, and called on the Spanish government to apply maximum pressure to ensure the successful completion of the humanitarian mission. In her view, only decisive actions by European countries will allow the activists to return home.
Rosa Surinyach from ERC rejected calling the situation a ‘conflict,’ insisting it is a case of mass killings and genocide. She expressed outrage at the European Union’s silence and demanded concrete steps to end the tragedy.
Laia Bonet, the First Deputy Mayor from PSC, expressed support for the initiative and stressed that the destruction and hunger caused by the war must not be tolerated. She also highlighted the importance of recognizing Palestine and creating a special district to aid Gaza residents.
Junts did not support the text of the statement, expressing doubts about the possibility of guaranteeing the safety of flotilla participants and describing Colau and Coronas’ involvement as more of a publicity stunt. At the same time, the party condemned the actions of both sides in the conflict, placing part of the responsibility on Hamas as well.
Right-wing parties strongly opposed the initiative. David Sirera from PP called the flotilla a ‘cruise with parties,’ and the mission itself a tool of political propaganda. Vox leader Gonzalo de Oro-Pulido accused the organizers of hypocrisy and of ignoring the region’s real problems.
Despite disagreements, the council passed by majority vote an appeal to the government demanding protection for the humanitarian mission involving Corones and Colau.
