Two Canadian individuals were among the activists apprehended by Israel after their boats were stopped during a mission to challenge the nearly two-decade naval blockade of Gaza, as per Canadian flotilla organizers’ announcement on Thursday. The Canadians, identified as Marie Tota and Umir Tiar by the Global Sumud Flotilla, consist of a nurse from Ontario and a student from Quebec City, respectively. The interception by Israeli forces led to the detention of over 180 activists in international waters, revealed Safa Chebbi, the spokesperson for Global Sumud Canada, speaking from one of the flotilla boats navigating in the Mediterranean Sea.
Ehab Lotayef, an organizer linked with the Freedom Flotilla engaged in the same cause, explained that the interception occurred to the west of the Greek island of Crete, over 500 nautical miles away from Israel and Gaza. The detained individuals have not been reachable by the organizers. Expressing concerns, Lotayef condemned Israel’s actions of intercepting the boats at such a distance from its territory, considering it an illegal seizure, especially since the flotilla activists are unarmed civilians aiming to provide aid and highlight the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar assured that the detained participants, including the Canadians, were unharmed and would be transferred to Greece soon, expressing gratitude to the Greek government for accepting the flotilla members. The Global Sumud Canada press release mentioned that Israeli forces disrupted communications, damaged several ships, and left activists stranded on powerless boats during the interception. While one Canadian woman was rescued by Greenpeace and Spanish NGO Open Arms after being stranded on a damaged boat, the flotilla spokesperson and another Canadian are still sailing.
Global Sumud Canada is advocating for immediate consular intervention for Tota and Tiar, urging the Canadian government to push for the blockade’s end and facilitate the safe passage of the flotilla to Gaza. However, Global Affairs Canada did not respond immediately to requests for comments. The Global Sumud Flotilla shared a video of a detained Canadian, identified as a medic, expressing being taken by Israeli forces from international waters, emphasizing the actions as part of the ongoing siege in Gaza.
Lotayef called upon the Canadian government to ensure the safe return of the detained Canadians. The Global Sumud Flotilla emphasized the urgency for consular intervention for the Canadians and urged the government to support the end of the blockade and safe passage for the flotilla to Gaza. Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s seizure of the boats as piracy, violating humanitarian principles and international law. Previous incidents involving the Global Sumud Flotilla and detentions by Israel were also highlighted in the context of the recent interception.