Delegates, News, Participants

A Quebec Flotilla Delegation Received by Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie

From left to right: Colombe Dimet, spokesperson for Global Sumud Canada (GSC); Safa Chebbi, spokesperson for GSC and participant in the flotilla; Ehab Lotayef, participant and member of Canadian Boat to Gaza (CBG); Olivier Huard, participant and member of CBG; Cynthia Lemay, member of CBG.

On Friday, July 10, 2026, residents of Quebec who participated in the Flotilla aimed at breaking the illegal siege of Gaza, and representatives of Global Sumud Canada and Canadian Boat to Gaza, met with Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Mr. Christopher Skeete, in Montreal.

This meeting is part of the advocacy efforts undertaken since the return of the participants who were kidnapped by the israeli occupation in international waters, calling on the governments of Quebec and Canada to take concrete action regarding the genocide in Gaza and the treatment of Canadian and Quebec participants in the Spring 2026 Flotilla.

On this occasion, the participants provided Minister Skeete with firsthand testimony of the violence, arbitrary detentions, and acts of torture inflicted by the Israeli occupation forces in April and May 2026, backed by documents and photographs.

Minister Skeete thanked the participants for sharing their testimonies with him, which he described as shocking and brutal. The minister stated that he had raised his concerns with the Israeli consul in Quebec regarding the treatment of Quebec’s participants and the violence perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians.

This meeting also provided an opportunity to raise several concerns and discuss the actions that Quebec should take.

The discussions focused in particular on:

  • the issue of relations between Quebec and Israel, including the Quebec Office in Tel Aviv, in light of the serious violations of international law committed by the Israeli occupation;
  • the need for Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand and Prime Minister Mark Carney to respond to the Quebec  participants’ request for a meeting, and for Canada to launch a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the attacks and human rights violations committed by Israel against the participants;
  • the importance of the Government of Quebec publicly expressing its concerns and demanding that Israel be held accountable for all violations committed against Quebec participants during the illegal attacks and arbitrary detention operations;
  • the international campaign for the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, whose life is currently at risk, and, more broadly, the situation of hundreds of other healthcare professionals and thousands of Palestinians illegally detained by Israel and subjected to acts of torture.

This meeting provided an opportunity for Quebec participants in the Flotilla to have their voices heard directly and to present the demands of Global Sumud Canada and Canadian Boat to Gaza to the Government of Quebec. 

We now hope that this meeting will be followed by concrete and urgent measures, in line with Quebec’s commitments to human rights and international law, as well as its tradition of solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for liberation.

While several governments around the world have taken concrete steps in response to Israel’s violations of international law against their own citizens and the Palestinian people, we call on Quebec to take action as well.

Delegates, News, Participants

Une délégation québécoise de la Flottille reçue par le ministre des Relations Internationales et de la Francophonie du Québec

De gauche à droite : Colombe Dimet, porte parole de Global Sumud Canada (GSC); Safa Chebbi, porte parole de GSC et participante à la Flottille; Ehab Lotayef, participant et membre de Bateau canadien pour Gaza (BCG); Olivier Huard, participant et membre de BCG; Cynthia Lemay, membre de BCG.

Le vendredi 10 juillet 2026, des participant·es québécois·es de la Flottille visant à briser le siège illégal de Gaza et des représentant·es des organisations Global Sumud Canada et Bateau canadien pour Gaza ont été reçu·es par le Ministre des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie du Québec, M. Christopher Skeete, à Montréal.

Cette rencontre s’inscrit dans les démarches de plaidoyer entreprises depuis le retour des participant·es kidnappé·es par l’occupation israélienne dans les eaux internationales pour obtenir des mesures concrètes des gouvernements du Québec et du Canada concernant le génocide à Gaza et le traitement réservé aux participant·es canadien·nes et québécois·es de la Flottille du printemps 2026.

À cette occasion, les participant·es ont témoigné directement auprès du ministre Skeete des violences, des détentions arbitraires et des actes de tortures infligés par l’armée d’occupation israélienne en avril et mai 2026, documents et photos à l’appui. 

Le ministre Skeete a remercié les participant·es de lui avoir partagé leurs témoignages, qu’il a qualifiés de choquants et brutaux. Le ministre a déclaré avoir fait part de ses inquiétudes au consul israélien basé au Québec à propos du traitement infligé aux participant·es québécois·es et aux violences des colons envers les Palestinien·nes.

Cette rencontre nous a aussi permis de présenter plusieurs préoccupations et de discuter des actions que le Québec devrait entreprendre.

Les échanges ont notamment porté sur :  

  • la question des relations entre le Québec et Israël, y compris le Bureau du Québec à Tel-Aviv, à la lumière des violations graves du droit international commises par l’occupation israélienne; 
  • la nécessité que la ministre fédérale des affaires étrangères, Anita Anand, et le premier ministre Mark Carney donnent suite à la demande de rencontre des participant·es québécois·es et que le Canada déclenche une enquête approfondie, indépendante et transparente sur les attaques et les violations des droits humains commises par Israël à l’encontre des participant·es ;
  • l’importance que le gouvernement du Québec exprime publiquement ses préoccupations, et demande qu’Israël rende des comptes pour l’ensemble des violations commises à l’encontre des participant·es québécois·es lors des attaques illégales et des opérations de détention arbitraires; 
  • la campagne internationale pour la libération du Dr Hussam Abu Safiya dont la vie est présentement menacée et, plus largement, la situation des centaines d’autres professionnel·les de la santé et milliers de Palestinien·nes détenu·es illégalement par Israël et soumis à des actes de torture. 

Cette rencontre a permis de faire entendre directement la voix des participant·es québécois·es à la Flottille et de présenter les demandes de Global Sumud Canada et Bateau canadien pour Gaza au gouvernement du Québec. 

Nous espérons maintenant que cette rencontre sera suivie de  mesures concrètes et urgentes, conformes aux engagements du Québec en matière de droits humains et de droit international et à sa tradition de solidarité avec la lutte de libération du peuple palestinien. 

Alors que plusieurs gouvernements à travers le monde ont entrepris des démarches concrètes face aux violations du droit international commises par Israël envers leurs ressortissant·es et le peuple palestinien, nous appelons le Québec à agir à son tour. 

News, Participants, Statements

MÉDAILLES & MINISTRES

Chères et chers sympathisant·es et ami·es,

Depuis leur retour de la Flottille au mois de mai, les participant·es de Montréal ont chacun·e reçu une médaille des mains de Haroun Bouazzi, député de QS pour la circonscription de Maurice-Richard à l’Assemblée nationale du Québec.

Comme l’a souligné Ehab Lotayef, du BCG : 

Le fait qu’un député de Québec Solidaire prenne cette position fait magnifiquement écho aux principes fondamentaux qui sous-tendent le travail que nous menons depuis des décennies. Cela souligne l’importance vitale de continuer à faire avancer les choses même si — ou peut-être surtout lorsque — le climat politique est hostile. Cet honneur n’est pas une distinction accordée à des individus; c’est une médaille pour tout le monde et pour toutes les actions visant à défendre les droits des Palestinien·nes. C’est un signe clair et indéniable adressé au monde entier que ces droits existent, qu’ils méritent qu’on se batte pour eux et que toute personne de conscience a le devoir de les soutenir. 

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Il poursuit :

Il y a plus de quinze ans, lorsque nous avons lancé l’initiative du « Bateau canadien pour Gaza », Québec Solidaire s’était fermement rangé à nos côtés, et le fait de voir cet engagement de principe perdurer aujourd’hui revêt une importance incroyable. Cela nous rappelle à toutes et à tous que, même lorsque la victoire immédiate semble hors de portée, le simple fait de continuer à essayer et à résister constitue en soi un triomphe.

Au-delà de sa portée politique, cette flottille témoigne profondément de la camaraderie et de la résilience. Nous avons enduré ensemble d’immenses épreuves, mais nous en sommes sortis remarquablement forts — encore plus forts qu’à nos débuts. Je n’oublierai jamais le moment où nous avons été expulsé·es d’Israël, après avoir enduré jusqu’à 72 heures dans des conditions épuisantes : la toute première question qui était sur toutes les lèvres dès que nous étions dans l’avion était : « À quand la prochaine mission? » Cet esprit inébranlable et cette profonde solidarité sont ce qui me marque le plus, et c’est exactement ce que représente ce moment.

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Plus tôt le mois dernier, les participant·es de la flottille ont également été accueilli·es dans la salle du Sénat à Ottawa par la Sénateur Woo, qui a salué leur travail au sein du mouvement de solidarité, le 3 juin 2026 : 

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Le même jour, les participante·es ont tenu une conférence de presse parlementaire sur la Colline du Parlement à Ottawa, en présence des députées fédérales Jenny Kwan et Heather McPherson. Une soirée de bilan du mouvement de solidarité communautaire a également eu lieu ce soir-là à Ottawa :

Au cours des dernières semaines, des participant·es du Bateau canadien pour Gaza de Global Sumud Canada ont rencontré individuellement les services consulaires d’Affaires mondiales Canada (AMC), et le jeudi 9 juillet, les participant·es ont eu une réunion de groupe avec le personnel d’AMC afin de discuter des prochaines étapes et de revenir sur le fait que ces derniers n’ont pas fourni de services significatifs pendant notre détention. Bien que nous espérions qu’ils soient en mesure d’offrir des services plus efficaces pour les futures actions de la Flottille, il s’avère que nos services consulaires avaient une capacité limitée à joindre nos participant·es. Par exemple, après que les autorités israéliennes leur avaient ordonné de se rendre à la prison de Ketzi’ot où se trouvaient les participant·es de la Flottille, les représentant·es canadien·nes n’ont pas été autorisé·es à rencontrer nos participant·es. Nous leur avons demandé d’appuyer notre demande de rencontre avec le ministre Anand, et on nous a répondu qu’on essaierait.

Soutenir nos participant·es avec un don

Certains participant·es québécois·es ont également rencontré le ministre des Relations internationales du Québec, Christopher Skeete. Entre autres sujets, ils ont soulevé la question du bureau commercial du Québec à Tel-Aviv : le ministre Skeete a déclaré qu’il croyait que les gens du monde entier devaient continuer à dialoguer. Ehab a souligné, avec raison, qu’Israël n’écoute manifestement rien ni personne, et qu’il ne changera jamais ses pratiques sans pression. 

Ministre Skeete a également déclaré qu’il tenterait de convaincre la ministre Anand de rencontrer les participant·es canadien·nes à la Flottille.

Malgré tout cela, la ministre fédérale des Relations internationales, Anita Anand, n’a toujours pas accepté de rencontrer les participant·es canadien·nes de la Flottille, comme nous le lui demandons depuis leur retour en mai. 

Son homologue australienne, la ministre Penny Wong, a quant à elle rencontré les participant·es australien·nes à la Flottille et a, par la suite, demandé à la Police fédérale australienne d’ouvrir une enquête sur le traitement qui leur a été réservé par les autorités israéliennes, qui les avaient enlevés en eaux internationales. Il est grand temps que notre gouvernement fédéral fasse de même, en commençant par une rencontre avec la ministre Anand.

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Uncategorized

Medals and Ministers

Dear supporters & friends.

Since returning from the Flotilla in May, Montreal participants each received a medal from Haroun Bouazzi, Québec Solidaire Member of the Québec National Assembly for the Maurice Richard electoral district.

As CBG’s Ehab Lotayef noted: 

The fact that a Member of the National Assembly from Québec Solidaire is taking this stand beautifully echoes the core principles behind the work we have been doing for decades. It underscores the vital importance of continuing to push even if—or perhaps especially when—the political environment is hostile. This honour is not an accolade for individuals; it is a medal for all and every action defending Palestinian rights. It serves as a clear, undeniable sign to the world that these rights exist, that they are worth fighting for, and that every person of conscience has a duty to stand behind them. 

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He continues:

Over fifteen years ago, when we launched the Canadian Boat to Gaza, Québec Solidaire stood firmly by our side, and seeing that this principled commitment endure today is incredibly meaningful. It reminds us all that, even when immediate victory seems out of reach, it is a triumph in itself to keep trying and to keep pushing back.

Beyond its political significance, this flotilla stands as a profound testament to camaraderie and resilience. We endured immense duress together, yet we emerged from it remarkably strong—even stronger than when we first began. I will never forget the moment we were being deported from Israel, after enduring up to 72 hours of grueling conditions, the absolute first question on people’s lips the moment we were on the planes was: “When is the next mission?” That unbroken spirit and profound solidarity is what stays with me, and it is exactly what this moment represents.

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Earlier last month, Flotilla participants were also greeted and welcomed into the Senate chambers in Ottawa by Senator Woo, with their solidarity movement work acknowledged there on June 3, 2026.

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On the same day, participants held a parliamentary press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa with federal Members of Parliament Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson. A community solidarity movement report-back event was also held that evening in Ottawa:

Over the last few weeks, participants from both Canadian Boat to Gaza and Global Sumud Canada met individually with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) consular services, and on Thursday July 9, participants had a group meeting with GAC staff to discuss future steps and revisit the fact that they failed to provide meaningful services while our participants were in custody. While our hope is that they would be able provide more effective services for future Flotilla action, it turns out that our consular services had limited ability to reach those on the Flotilla. For example, after Israeli authorities directed them to go to Ketzi’ot prison where Flotilla participants were held, Canadian officials were not allowed to meet our participants. We asked them to support our request to meet Minister Anand, they said they would try.

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Some Québec participants also met with Québec’s Minister of International relations, Christopher Skeete. Among other issues, they raised the matter of the Québec trade office in Tel Aviv : Minister Skeete said he believes that people around the world should continue talking to each other. Ehab rightly pointed out that Israel clearly doesn’t listen to anything or anyone, and will never change its ways without pressure. 

Minister Skeete also said he would try to get Minister Anand to meet with Canadian Flotilla participants.

Despite all this, Federal Minister of International Relations Anita Anand still has not agreed to meet with Canadian Flotilla participants, as we have been asking since their return in May. 

Her Australian counterpart, Minister Penny Wong, met with Flotilla participants from Australia and, as a consequence, has initiated an investigation by the Australian Federal Police into the participants’ treatment at the hands of the Israeli authorities who kidnapped them in international waters. It is high time for our Federal government to do the same, beginning with a meeting with Minister Anand.

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News, Reports, Statements

Breaking: Flotilla Participants Released

Freed participants arriving in Istanbul 

After two days of unlawful detention and illegal abuse from Israeli officials, international Flotilla volunteers were released today and flown to Istanbul. We’ve gotten news of the use of tasers, sexual harassment, and injuries requiring hospitalization for some of our volunteers. This news comes after we’ve seen statements from Canadians officials condemning far-right war criminal Ben Gvir & summoning the Israeli ambassador to….talk about his ‘abominable’ actions.

Inviting the Israeli ambassador to chat obviously isn’t enough. The problem is not one far-right Israeli cabinet minister. The Israeli government took a decision to attack and abduct Flotilla volunteers who were following international law. These Israeli attacks are flagrant violations of international law – and should signal to Canadian officials that Israel never follows international law or human rights. Israeli abuse of Palestinian human rights is systemic, inhumane and much worse than our Flotilla volunteers suffered. Our government knows this — and must act on this knowledge.

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Hateful politicians like Ben Gvir aren’t created in a vacuum. They’re a symptom of a much larger problem – of a government that has systemically dehumanized an entire nation of people. A repressive government that is always ready to abuse Palestinians and anyone who dares to stand with them.

We have to continue to expose Israel’s war crimes until our government issues an appropriate response that is more than just words – we need actual sanctions and a full withdrawal of Canadian support for Israel. 

This Flotilla has never operated as just one mission. It’s part of a broader movement, to continue to put pressure on international governments, to force them to take concrete action — to help end the blockade of Gaza, and Israeli apartheid.

In hope and rage,

David from Canada Boat to Gaza 

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News, Reports

Breaking: Israeli authorities openly abusing Flotilla participants

Novara media footage of Flotilla Participants being tortured

Indicted war criminal, the Israeli Cabinet Minister Ben Gvir, is openly posting videos on twitter, mocking and humiliating flotilla participants who are being held captive. They were attacked and abducted in international waters while sailing to break the illegal siege on Gaza. In this video, participants are shown zip-tied and forced to kneel in stress positions, being dragged around, and being pushed to the ground on their faces.

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The brutality of the occupation is well documented by generations of Palestinians who have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of settlers and the IOF. We are aware that a significant imbalance that can often result in international human rights defenders receiving more attention than Palestinians. Current attention on the Flotilla needs to be used to continue draw attention to the struggle for Palestinian liberation. We must build on this to amplify the voices of Palestinian political prisoners who continue to be held captive by a colonial system of repression and incarceration.  

One of the main goals of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is to focus the eyes of the world and our governments on the atrocities committed by israel. A full live-streamed genocide hasn’t been enough to make them take concrete action. UN and international condemnations haven’t been enough. Our government has failed to act on the legal responsibilities to prevent genocide, and have instead provided the material and diplomatic means to escalate the displacement, ethnic cleansing, and genocide of Palestine. 

We demand immediate action from world leaders for:

  • the immediate release of all Flotilla abductees AND THE 10,000 Palestinian hostages in israeli prisons.
  • compliance with their legal obligation to stop the genocide and illegal blockade of Gaza.
  • immediate diplomatic and economic sanctions on israel
  • a full two-way arms embargo: no military trade to or from israel,  
  • the dismantling of the apartheid regime (as per UN)

You cannot kill a movement. Palestine will be free in our lifetime. 

We will continue to update you as we get more news. 

In solidarity, 

Canada Boat to Gaza Team. 

If you claim to be someone’s ally, but aren’t getting hit by the stones thrown at them, you aren’t standing close enough. – Stan Mitchell.

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News, Reports

Time to take action: flotilla attacked and all participants have been abducted by Israel

On May 14, 2026, israel announced their plans to use their Shayetet 13 naval commandos to illegally attack the Flotilla in international waters. These forces have been used to attack previous Flotilla missions. These forces are war criminals who participate in the genocide against Palestinians. By using them to attack the Flotilla, the Israeli government effectively extend the borders of their violence into international waters. 

We continue sailing year after year to break israel’s illegal siege because our governments remain active accomplices in the genocide of Palestinians.

Help us fight back against this repression 

Despite pressure to ignore Palestine,  Leah Gazan, NDP Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre issued a statement saying: 

Though the Canadian government has not supported the Flotilla or spoken out against genocide, there has been support from Leah Gazan, NDP Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre: 

“At a time when leaders and governments have fallen silent in complicity with genocide, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has shown us what solidarity and resistance look like. 

As the spring Freedom Flotilla mission sets sail, I am profoundly touched to witness people from Canada on board with five hundred participants from across the globe. This is the largest maritime action yet in calling for the end to the illegal occupation and blockade on the Gaza Strip. Those sailing aboard the Freedom Flotilla remind us of the importance of collective action, and call on all of us not to rest until we see an end to the genocide.”

May 18, 2026: Attacks on the flotilla begin

Our participants started the morning being circled by IOF warships. Then one by one, boats were attacked, illegally boarded in international waters, and our participants taken hostage.

PERSEVERANCE attacked and boarded by IOF war criminals | May 18, 2026

We need to do everything we can to support these courageous and principled people who are taking action in the face of horrible injustice. Palestinians are living under airstrikes, hunger, displacement and occupation – while the Canadian government continues to allow the manufacture and export of weapons for Israel. 

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May 19, 2026: final boats continue towards Gaza as attacks continue

The Lina Al-Nabulsi was the final boat to be attacked. The boat was named for Lina Al-Nabulsi, a Palestinian teenager shot and killed 40 years ago by the Israeli Occupation Forces while still wearing her school uniform. 

In this photo of the crew on her namesake boat, just minutes before the Israeli attack, leaves a message honouring her legacy: Lina Al-Nabulsi lives in every girl. Honour her legacy, say her name and take action. The accompanying video states: You cannot sink a movement.

So far we’ve gotten news that they’ve fired rubber-coated steel bullets against unarmed, civilian volunteers. They’ve fired water cannons and rammed at least one boat. We know that no one is safe in the occupation’s prisons. It is time to mobilize for Palestine and for our comrades who are facing violence for taking action in the face of horrible injustice. Palestinians are living under airstrikes, hunger, displacement and occupation – while the Canadian government continues to allow the manufacture and export of weapons for Israel. 

We need your support to rise up against these attacks. Whether it’s sharing our petition and donations pages across your networks, or showing up to rallies in your city, your support couldn’t be more crucial. 

In solidarity,

Canada Boat to Gaza Team

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News, Reports, Statements, Uncategorized

Nous ne sommes pas une organisation humanitaire

Une rencontre en mer pour défier le siège illégal de Gaza | 14 mai 2026

Nous ne sommes pas une organisation humanitaire – nous naviguons pour briser le blocus.

Après avoir terminé les réparations et le ravitaillement, nos cinq bateaux de la Coalition de la Flottilles de la Liberté (FFC) ont pris la mer pour poursuivre la route vers Gaza. Bien que ces bateaux transportent des quantités symboliques de nourriture et de médicaments, nous ne sommes pas une organisation humanitaire. Nous naviguons pour défier un blocus brutal et illégal destiné à isoler, emprisonner et persécuter les Palestiniennes et les Palestiniens de Gaza, et pour dénoncer l’incapacité de la communauté internationale à mettre fin aux crimes perpétrés par Israël contre le peuple palestinien. 

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Hier, cinq bateaux de la FFC ont mis les voiles  — l’Adalah, le Kyriakos X, le Lina Al Nabulsi, le PERSEVERANCE et le Tenaz Love Aqsa Bangladesh — à partir d’une île grecque, dans le cadre d’une initiative visant à rejoindre l’effort international plus large de la flottille pour briser le siège illégal de Gaza par Israël et contester l’impunité qui permet le génocide, la famine et l’effacement total du peuple palestinien. Aujourd’hui, our bateaux ont rejoint environ 55 autres bateaux partis de Marmaris, en Turquie, pour une rencontre historique en mer https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JQiap7xJp/.

Depuis 2010, la FFC a organisé et envoyé des dizaines de bateaux pour défier directement le blocus naval illégal imposé par Israël, s’inscrivant dans la lignée des missions historiques du Mouvement Free Gaza, qui a été le premier à briser le blocus de Gaza par la mer en 2008. À la suite du voyage du Madleen en juin 2025, la participation internationale aux initiatives de la flottille s’est considérablement élargie, reflétant le refus croissant de la société civile mondiale d’accepter la normalisation par nos gouvernements du siège et du génocide. 

Soutenez-nous pour nous aider à continuer à nous développer 

Cette phase de la mission fait suite à l’attaque menée par Israël le 29 avril contre 22 bateaux civils au large de la côte ouest de la Grèce, ainsi qu’à l’enlèvement et aux mauvais traitements infligés à deux organisateurs de la Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). À la suite de cette attaque, les organisateurs ont temporairement suspendu les départs afin d’évaluer les conditions de sécurité et de coordonner les prochaines étapes. Malgré l’escalade des attaques et des intimidations, la mission de la flottille se poursuit.

Depuis quelques semaines, Israël et les États-Unis tentent de salir la réputation de la GSF et de la criminaliser au moyen d’allégations sans fondement visant clairement à délégitimer la résistance civile et à créer un consensus public en faveur de nouvelles attaques contre la mission. La libération sans inculpation des organisateurs de la GSF, Saif et Thiago, n’a fait que mettre davantage en évidence le caractère infondé de ces accusations. Quelques pays se sont élevés contre ces crimes, mais le Canada, l’Australie et la France ne font pas partie de ces voix internationales engagées. Israël et tous les États qui coopèrent avec lui sont clairement avertis : cette flottille est civile, non armée, et navigue en conformité avec le droit international, pour la défense des droits humains fondamentaux.

Pour les Palestiniennes et Palestiniens de Gaza qui subissent depuis deux décennies un blocus meurtrier, des assauts militaires répétés, des privations forcées, des violences sexuelles et un génocide en cours, cette flottille représente plus qu’une simple solidarité humanitaire. Il s’agit d’un acte de résistance civile internationale contre la violence coloniale de l’occupation et contre la machine mondiale qui la soutient. 

En tant que membre de la Coalition de la Flottille de la Liberté, la campagne du Bateau canadien pour Gaza reste déterminée à mener des actions directes et non violentes – en mer comme à terre – pour s’opposer au blocus illégal de Gaza imposé par Israël et pour soutenir le peuple palestinien dans sa lutte pour la liberté, la dignité, le retour et l’autodétermination. Nous vous invitons à vous joindre à nous dans cette action.

En toute solidarité, 

David, 
du Bateau canadien pour  Gaza 

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News, Reports, Statements, Uncategorized

WE ARE NOT AN AID ORGANIZATION

Meeting at sea to challenge the illegal siege on Gaza | May 14, 2026

We aren’t an aid organization – we’re sailing to break the blockade. 

After finishing repairs and resupplying, we launched our five Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) boats yesterday to sail onwards to Gaza. While these vessels carry symbolic amounts of food and medicine, we are not an aid organization. We sail in defiance of a brutal and unlawful blockade designed to isolate, imprison, and persecute Palestinians in Gaza, and in rejection of the international community’s failure to stop Israel’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.

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Yesterday the FFC  launched five vessels — Adalah, Kyriakos X, Lina Al Nabulsi, PERSEVERANCE and Tenaz Love Aqsa Bangladesh — from a Greek island, to join the broader international flotilla effort to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza and challenge the impunity enabling genocide, starvation, and the wholesale erasure of the Palestinian people. Today our boats joined approximately 55 additional boats that departed from Marmaris, Türkiye in a historic meeting at sea https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JQiap7xJp/.

Since 2010, the FFC has organized and sailed dozens of vessels in direct challenge to Israel’s unlawful naval blockade, building on the historic missions of the Free Gaza Movement, which first broke the blockade of Gaza by sea in 2008. Following the June 2025 voyage of the Madleen, international participation in flotilla initiatives expanded significantly, reflecting  global civil society’s growing refusal to accept our governments’ normalization of siege and genocide. 

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This phase of the mission follows Israel’s April 29 attack on 22 civilian vessels off the western coast of Greece, as well as the abduction and abuse of two Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) organizers. Following that attack, organizers temporarily paused departures in order to assess security conditions and coordinate next steps. Despite escalating attacks and intimidation, the flotilla mission continues.
In recent weeks, Israel and the United States have attempted to smear and criminalize the GSF through baseless allegations clearly aimed at delegitimizing civilian resistance and manufacturing public consent for further attacks on the mission. The release of GSF organizers Saif and Thiago without charges only further exposed the emptiness of these claims. A few countries have spoken out against those crimes, but Canada, Australia and France are not among those principled intenational voices. Israel and all states cooperating with it are on clear notice: this flotilla is civilian, unarmed, and sailing in accordance with international law, and in defense of fundamental human rights.

For Palestinians in Gaza who have endured two decades of a deadly blockade, repeated military assaults, forced deprivation, sexual violence and ongoing genocide, this flotilla represents more than humanitarian solidarity. It is an act of international civilian resistance against settler colonial violence and the global machinery that sustains it. 

As part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Canadian Boat to Gaza campaign remains committed to direct, nonviolent action–at sea and on land–to confront Israel’s illegal closure of Gaza and to stand with the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, dignity, return, and self-determination. We invite you to join with us in this work.

In solidarity, 

David from Canada Boat to Gaza

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Funds needed as our team sails closer to Gaza

Our participants have made it to Greece!

Our boat, the PERSEVERANCE, alongside others from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition have now made it to Greece to prepare for our final stretch to break the illegal, inhumane Israeli blockade  Gaza. We have passed the point at which 180 Global Sumud Flotilla participants were abducted and 22 of their boats boarded and seized, and we will soon meet at sea with the remaining boats and volunteers that made it past Israel’s unlawful seizure and abduction.

Despite the high alert our teams have been on, the energy remains strong and dedicated to raising the alarm on Israel’s illegal blockade of Palestine. Our participants are taking big risks on this mission, and we need to do what we can to support them. Our legal team, boat repair, and preparations for this mission have been costly – and we need your help to cover this. We will also need funds to look after them if they are abducted by Israeli Occupation Forces at sea, unlawfully detained and deported.

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Our operations are fully volunteer-run, with individuals making immense personal sacrifices to be a part of this mission. We have the heart and the conscience to respond to what our governments won’t – but our opponents have the funding. 

History shows us the power of ordinary people standing up against the face of injustice. Palestinians in Gaza continue to live under enforced starvation, airstrikes, and inhumane medical, housing and other conditions as the world turns away. We refuse to remain silent in the face of this. 

Olivier working on the PERSEVERANCE | May 2026

Olivier, pictured above doing some repairs sent us a message on why he’s still determined to sail this morning:

“When the fear of violence from Israel comes to mind, I remember that Palestinians live through far worse conditions which no governments or institutions seem to be able to stop. So if my friends and I are not trying to break the siege, who will do it?” 

We remain committed to challenging the illegal blockade of Palestine until we see the change that is required for real liberation. We’re asking you to join us in this commitment, by supporting us with a donation if you have the means to do so, and by sharing our messages with others who want to push for real change.

When governments fail – we sail. 

In solidarity, 

Canada Boat to Gaza team 

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Break the Siege of Gaza