Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has described the 'Global Sumud Flotilla' initiative as “dangerous and irresponsible”, during comments to journalists on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly currently underway in New York.
“There’s no need to put yourself in harm’s way or enter a warzone in order to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza — aid that the Italian government could deliver within a matter of hours,” Meloni stated firmly. “I urge everyone to act responsibly, especially Members of the Italian Parliament,” she added, in a clear reference to the presence of Italian MPs on board the flotilla.
The Italian Prime Minister revealed that her Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, is working on an alternative solution: to deliver the humanitarian aid to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Cyprus, which would then assume responsibility for its transfer to the people of Gaza. “This is a proposal which, to my knowledge, has the support of the Cypriot, Italian and Israeli governments,” Meloni said, noting that they are currently awaiting a response from the organisers of the flotilla.
Reiterating her message, Meloni appealed once again for what she called “a sense of responsibility”, stressing that “human life must not be put at risk through initiatives that seem less focused on delivering aid and more concerned with causing problems for the Italian government.”
The 'Global Sumud Flotilla' initiative, which involves international activists — including politicians and humanitarian workers — aims to break the blockade and deliver aid directly to Gaza by sea. Meloni’s government, however, has expressed strong concerns over both the safety and political implications of such efforts, especially amid ongoing tensions in the region.
