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James Hickey, a Scottish activist aboard the Global Sumud Fleet, emphasized the civilian nature of the mission aimed at supporting Palestinians amid ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza.
“Normally, we should not be here. Our governments should be doing this,” Hickey told Anadolu from a video link off Greece’s Crete island. “This is not our job, yet governments continue to cooperate with the Zionist entity and participate in genocide. They left us no choice but to act for our children, grandchildren, and our people.”
Hickey, on board the ship Saulle, described a series of aggressive actions against the fleet. While docked in Sicily, the vessels were monitored by drones. Once in international waters, the drones became hostile.
“Eleven or twelve ships were targeted. Some were hit with foul-smelling, hazardous substances resembling rotten eggs,” Hickey said. He added that other vessels were assaulted with high-decibel and light-emitting devices, highlighting Israel’s use of force against activists delivering aid.
Hickey shared his personal motivations for joining the fleet. A father of three from Glasgow, he traced his family history to Irish ancestors who fled famine, drawing parallels with the current plight of Palestinians.
“With children and future grandchildren, how can I stay silent? How can I ignore what is happening?” he said. Hickey described the fleet as a gathering of “ordinary people from different walks of life” committed to confronting genocide, ethnic cleansing, and man-made famine.
Hickey explained that the fleet carries humanitarian supplies and messages of support. “We are political and religiously neutral, nonviolent, and focused on solving problems that governments ignore while profiting from disaster capitalism,” he said.
The fleet includes participants from 45 countries, including journalists, psychologists, and athletes. Hickey stressed that collaboration enables the fleet to deliver aid at a scale unattainable by any single country.
Hickey criticized Israeli claims labeling the fleet as a Hamas operation. “These lies are the Zionist propaganda machine’s most used tools,” he said, noting that journalists, doctors, lawyers, and even children in Gaza are falsely associated with Hamas to justify attacks.
He highlighted the historical context of resistance. “Would we call French resistors against Nazis terrorists? Or the Irish fighting Britain? History shows these labels are propaganda.”
Hickey reaffirmed his legal and moral stance. “Nothing I am doing is illegal. I act with conscience. I must stand shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinian people,” he said.
He also called out his own government. “Prime Minister Keir Starmer is a coward. He must answer serious questions in The Hague. He fears Donald Trump. He should not occupy that office. He actively participates in genocide against his own people.”
Hickey concluded that ordinary citizens everywhere must confront fascism and injustice: “Normal people stand together when faced with such needs. I am doing that. I will face the risks, but the future of our children and grandchildren is more important than my fear.”
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