Newfoundland-based activists, Devoney Ellis, left, Sadie Mees and Nikita Stapleton joined a flotilla aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip to deliver to aid. (CBC)
Three Newfoundland-based activists are making their way to Gaza through the Mediterranean Sea as part of a collective effort to deliver aid, and one of them says they aren’t deterred after another flotilla was intercepted by Israel.
Nikita Stapleton, Devoney Ellis and Sadie Mees, were sailing between Athens and Crete onboard the Conscience as of Thursday morning Newfoundland time — part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, who are trying to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Stapleton said the group on board are feeling alright after Israeli forces intercepted approximately 40 aid boats heading for Gaza on Wednesday. Among the passengers was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
Stapleton said they embarked on the journey knowing there was a possibility Israel would intercept vessels.
“That was definitely something that unfortunately — as wrong as it is — it was very much something that was anticipated, expected,” Stapleton told CBC News. “We’ve seen the extreme violence of Israel over the last two years, before that as well.”
The flotilla, which is organized by the Global Sumud Flotilla, is transporting medicine and food to Gaza and consists of more than 40 civilian vessels with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists.
“All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on X.
Crew members sit in a circle aboard an aid vessel bound for Gaza, one of about 50 such boats forming the latest flotilla intercepted by the Israeli navy late on Wednesday. (Global Sumud Flotilla/Reuters )
Stapleton said they plan to stay the course with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
“We’re definitely concerned by it but not swayed in what we’re doing in any way,” said Stapleton.
Stapleton added they see themselves on the right side of international law.
“Palestinians have a right to receive people at their shores, and Israel is acting inappropriately and in violation of international law when they intercept these vessels,” Stapleton said.
The Israeli government has sustained a blockade on Gaza since 2007. In August, the leading global authority on food insecurity declared famine in Gaza City.
World leading genocide scholars have also declared that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza, according to the legal definitions.
Mees said the Conscience is primarily carrying doctors and journalists, who she alleges Israel has been targeting.
“We are bringing journalists and doctors who are standing in solidarity with their comrades and colleagues,” she said, adding they also have medical supplies on board.
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