In a joint statement published by the French daily Nouvel Obs on Saturday, 130 public figures urged France and Belgium to ensure diplomatic and consular protection for the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla
“We demand protection for the flotilla and call on the governments of Emmanuel Macron and Bart De Wever to provide diplomatic and consular protection for the boats carrying French and Belgian nationals,” the public figures said.
The signatories include Franco-Algerian DJ Snake, Belgian singer Angele, and French content creator Lena Mahfouf.
“We call for immediate action by the French and Belgian states to guarantee humanitarian access to Gaza and to put an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people,” the signatories demanded.
A flotilla of 10 vessels set off for Gaza from Sicily, southern Italy, on Saturday, with 60 people on board, including elected officials from nine nations.
A statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) said they intended to “break the illegal Israeli blockade” to deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.
They intend to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is also bound for Gaza carrying aid supplies.