Several Canadians who participated in a flotilla aiming to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza are anticipated to come back to Canada this weekend.
The Canadians were taken into custody by Israeli forces last week and apparently mistreated before being transferred to Turkey.
The organizer of the movement, Global Sumud Flotilla, has disclosed that nine out of the 12 Canadians involved in the flotilla are expected to land from Turkey at airports in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver today and tomorrow.
Global Sumud Flotilla has indicated that one of the three remaining Canadians is still in Turkey, while the other two are en route to different locations.
On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced that she had been briefed by Turkish officials about the “appalling abuse” suffered by the Canadians during their detention and that they were undergoing urgent medical treatment in Turkey.
Israeli prison authorities have refuted any allegations of abuse.
The Canadians were part of a group of 420 individuals on 41 vessels intercepted by Israel while attempting to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza amidst Israeli restrictions.
Aid organizations claim that Israel has hindered the delivery of assistance to Gaza, where a humanitarian crisis persists following the conflict initiated by Israel in response to a Hamas incursion in October 2023.
Twelve Canadians were among hundreds of flotilla activists deported by Israel today after spending a night in an Israeli prison. Activists from the flotilla say they were beaten and describe their treatment as systematically dehumanizing. Israel hasn’t commented on the allegations, but says it used non-lethal force when it detained the activists.
Following the Canadians’ detention, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, shared a video mocking the activists while they were kneeling with their faces to the ground and hands bound.
Global Affairs Canada has confirmed the summoning of Iddo Moed, the Israeli ambassador in Canada, expressing condemnation for the “mistreatment of civilians” and demanding accountability for the abuse.
Global Affairs has stated that consular officials were present in Turkey to ensure the Canadians received necessary care for their return home.