French parliamentarian Marie Mesmeur tells Anadolu their mission is to defend right to life for all people, describing flotilla as 'the largest peaceful popular initiative to support Palestinians in Gaza'
French parliamentarian Marie Mesmeur, participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla headed to Gaza to break the Israeli blockade, said she and other participants are undeterred by Israeli threats, stressing that their mission is to defend the right to life for all people.
In an interview with Anadolu in the Tunisian capital, Mesmeur, a member of the La France insoumise party, described the flotilla as “the largest peaceful popular initiative to support Palestinians in Gaza.”
She urged French President Emmanuel Macron to formally recognize Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from crossing French airspace, citing an international arrest warrant issued against him for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
“Over 40 ships, manned by participants, are appealing to their governments, which have taken negative stances on Gaza, to help the Palestinian people,” she said.
Mesmeur added: “Since governments have failed to act, activists are self-organizing peaceful flotillas in dozens of boats, motivated by deep belief in aiding the Palestinian people.”
Regarding France’s position on Israel’s actions in Gaza, she said: “I am always waiting for the French government to use the term ‘genocide’ and prevent Netanyahu from flying over French territory. I expect them to stop suppressing voices of peace, but Macron faces a major problem and lacks courage.”
She emphasized that the flotilla’s mission is to defend the right to life for all people, regardless of nationality or belief, and to uphold international law.
"We must put an end to this genocide, the first in the world broadcast live, with hundreds of deaths daily in Gaza, 28 children every day. What more do you need to act?” Mesmeur said.
“It is completely unacceptable that Netanyahu crosses French airspace. International law must be respected; it safeguards us as French, Europeans, and the world,” she added.
On Israeli threats to the flotilla, Mesmeur said: “They (Israelis) announced it. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu labeled us as terrorists while we are carrying out a peaceful, humanitarian initiative. They will not stop us. They try to intimidate, but our commitment to the sanctity of life is stronger than fear. We are here fulfilling a moral duty.”
She criticized Israel’s claims of ethical conduct by saying, “What kind of ethics allows killing hundreds daily?”
On potential military action against the flotilla, she said: “We are prepared for everything and for delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza.”
Israel has a record of intercepting civilian attempts to break the Gaza siege.
In July, its navy seized the Handala ship carrying international activists to Gaza, while in June it intercepted the Madeline vessel, detaining 12 international activists before deporting them under a non-return guarantee.
On Sunday, about 20 ships departed from Barcelona as part of the flotilla, followed by another convoy on Monday from Genoa, Italy. They are expected to join ships departing Tunisia on Sept. 7 before heading to Gaza.
The flotilla includes the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Global Gaza Movement, the Sumud Convoy, and Malaysia’s Sumud Nusantara organization.
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza for 18 years. About 1.5 million of the 2.4 million residents are now homeless after Israel’s recent offensive destroyed their homes.
Since March 2, Israel has closed all Gaza crossings, preventing the entry of food, medicine, or humanitarian aid, triggering widespread famine despite aid trucks at border crossings.
Israel has already killed more than 64,200 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
