‘Let The Conscience In’ Protest Called Off Following Positive Developments
The protest planned outside Castille for this afternoon has been cancelled following what Moviment Graffitti is calling positive developments in Malta’s handling of the Gaza-bound humanitarian vessel Conscience.
In a public statement, Graffitti said the decision came after Prime Minister Robert Abela offered more tangible support to the crew of the Conscience, the ship that was reportedly attacked by drones just outside Maltese territorial waters late last week.
“We have taken note of positive developments… with the Prime Minister now offering more tangible assistance to the vessel. The Gaza Freedom Flotilla has also welcomed this approach,” the group said.
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While welcoming the shift, the group reiterated its core demands, including that the Conscience be allowed to dock in Malta for repairs, and that the Maltese government formally condemn the drone attack on the humanitarian ship.
The Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition also issued a public statement, confirming it had received a welcome update from the Maltese government expressing intent to offer logistical support and repairs for the Conscience.
“We reiterate our intent to be let into Malta, with the guarantee that our peaceful action to sail to Gaza will not be hindered in any way,” the coalition said.
However, they also highlighted earlier concerns over the way the initial response to the incident was handled.
The coalition claims the Conscience’s radio signal was tampered with and that the Armed Forces of Malta had initially encouraged the crew to abandon ship.
They now express readiness to work with authorities to allow for temporary docking, repairs, and inspections, in order to resume their humanitarian mission to Gaza as soon as possible.
“Today’s news is a very positive development,” said FFC spokesperson Thiago Avila, speaking on behalf of over 20 nationalities currently involved in the effort from Malta.
“We look forward to dialogue and coordination with the Maltese authorities to be able to re-focus media and public attention where it needs to be; on Israel´s calculated genocide, deliberate famine and wholescale destruction in Gaza.”
Another FFC organiser, Yasemin Acar, reinforced the mission’s urgency:
“For over 60 days, no humanitarian aid has entered by land, this crisis demands urgent international action. In the absence of political will, we remain committed to acting as global citizens. While we’re grateful for all support, every day without an investigation delays aid and denies justice. We have the right to know who attacked us and put humanitarian workers’ lives at risk.”
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