Demand Safe Passage for Veterans on the Global Sumud Flotilla

Members of Congress and State Representatives of Austin TX, Windsor IL, Toledo OH, Brooklyn NYC, Carmichael CA, Reno NV, Glenside PA, and Gallipolis Ferry WV.

Eight Veterans, including members of About Face, are aboard one of over 50 vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led maritime mission carrying critical humanitarian aid to Gaza. The flotilla’s mission comes amid severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where international organizations, including the UN, declared widespread famine and medical collapse under the ongoing blockade.

The flotilla launched on August 31, 2025, and is expected to be intercepted by Israeli forces within the next two weeks. Any obstruction as such would breach the international laws that guarantee the right to deliver humanitarian aid, obligating State and individual liability under the Rome Statute, the Geneva Conventions, and the Genocide Convention. Specifically, the Fourth Geneva Convention (Articles 23,55, and 56) impose an obligation to permit the free passage of humanitarian aid and prohibit interference with relief operations.

The Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has threatened to label participants in the mission as “terrorists” and to forcibly block the delivery of aid. He intends to hold activists in prisons and deny “privileges” such as television, radio, and specialized food.


This situation has heightened urgency following the detention of another American, Chris Smalls, just six weeks ago during a separate flotilla attempt. Smalls, a prominent labor leader, was beaten by the occupying forces and held in custody. He was among the last detainees released — and the United States was the only country that did not send delegates or intervene on his behalf.

  • We call on elected officials, the US government, and American civil society to publicly demand:
    • International protection for veterans aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla,
    • Safe passage and safe return for the Global Sumud Flotilla,
    • Intervention if Americans are detained, harmed, or criminalized,
    • Rejection of any attempts to designate humanitarian activists as terrorists.
    • Additionally, it is imperative that media outlets cover the Global Sumud Flotilla fairly and thoroughly, ensuring it receives the necessary attention and support for the protection of its participants.

About the Global Sumud Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla is a coalition of international human rights and humanitarian organizations committed to nonviolent maritime missions delivering aid to Gaza.

The all-veteran delegation includes multiple American veterans:

  • Gregory James Stoker - Austin, TX

  • Zue Carole Jernstedt - Gallipolis Ferry, WV

  • Edward Allen Doogan - Glenside, PA

  • Najeh Marwan Abduljalil - Reno, NV

  • McCall Lindsie Nichols - Carmichael, CA

  • Zuleyka Morales Rivera - Brooklyn, NY

  • Philip Kuper Tottenham - Toledo, OH

  • Jessica Kaye Clotfelter - Windsor, IL



To: Members of Congress and State Representatives of Austin TX, Windsor IL, Toledo OH, Brooklyn NYC, Carmichael CA, Reno NV, Glenside PA, and Gallipolis Ferry WV.
From: [Your Name]

To Members of Congress and State Representatives,

I am writing to inform you that 8 veterans, residents of your constituencies, are currently on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, a historic, nonviolent civilian mission sailing to Gaza to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid and to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade.

The Global Sumud Flotilla brings together participants from 44 countries. Our goals are to:
-Deliver life-saving medical and nutritional supplies to Palestinians in Gaza.​
-Open a maritime humanitarian corridor in line with international law to allow the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza to gain access to aid.​
-Draw attention to the severe and ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade and Israel’s continued attacks on civilians.
-This mission is grounded entirely in nonviolence. All participants have signed a Code of Ethics committing to peaceful conduct at all times.

On Monday, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed a plan to the cabinet to charge all flotilla participants as terrorists and detain them for a prolonged period of time
Israel has attacked similar flotilla missions with impunity. Just this year:
-The ship Conscience was struck by two Israeli missiles, stranding 12 crew members in the middle of the sea.
-The Madleen was attacked with a chemical irritant before seizure.
Chris Smalls was badly beaten and strangled while in an Israeli prison on July 26th.

The flotilla operates fully within international legal frameworks, including:
-UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – affirming the right to freedom of navigation in international waters.​
-Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 33 – Prohibiting collective punishment of civilians.​
-Fourth Geneva Convention, Articles 23 and 25 – Protecting humanitarian relief from interference.
-San Remo Manual, Article 15 - Prohibiting attacks and detainment in international waters
-San Remo Manual, Rules 102-104 - Blockades that cause civilians to starve or deny them humanitarian aid are unlawful.

These measures ensure the flotilla is fully compliant with maritime safety standards:
-​Comprehensive safety protocols for all passengers and crew.
-Required packing list to ensure readiness and compliance.
-Third-party inspections of all vessels before departure to confirm they carry only humanitarian cargo.​

Your constituent, and all those aboard, are risking their safety to uphold the principles of human rights and humanitarian law. Your voice can help protect them and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.

We look forward to your public commitment to these urgent actions.