Newfoundland-based activists, Sadie Mees, Devoney Ellis and Nikita Stapleton are among many Canadians preparing to join a flotilla aimed at defying Israel’s blockade on Gaza and delivering aid. (Photo CBC) We spoke to Professor Heidi Matthews, a Canadian lawyer of international law who was with the flotilla providing legal and media support. See our interview….
Thousands of human rights activists from around the world are converging on Gaza in a huge flotilla aimed at bringing needed supplies to a starving population, and in the process defying Israel’s 16 year old blockade of the region. There are contingents and activists from many countries including Canada.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessels and convoys have attempted to break the blockade of Gaza since 2010. The first flotilla with six ships was launched and subsequently raided by Israeli forces, by what would then become the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
Since 2010, attempts from the Freedom Flotilla II in 2011, Freedom Flotilla III in 2015, Women’s Boat to Gaza in 2016, Just Future for Palestine Flotilla in 2018, and flotillas in June and July 2025, have all been intercepted, raided or attacked by Israeli forces.
In August 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, and began launching a series of flotilla convoys towards Gaza.
In addition to Greta Thunberg, a well known Swedish activist, who was on an earlier flotilla and arrested by Israeli authorities, this most recent flotilla includes 4 members of the European Parliament.
Israel threatens
Israel has threatened the Global Sumud Flotilla participants with detention and prosecution even in international waters. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to treat flotilla participants as “terrorists” and detain them in prisons reserved for security prisoners, with harsh conditions and limited access to basic needs and communication. In addition, the Israeli Navy conducted maritime drills near Gaza, practicing combat scenarios, which some interpret as preparations for a potential confrontation with the flotilla.
However, the foreign ministers of 16 countries have warned Israel to “refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla” and “to respect international law.”
OFIP spoke to Canadian professor of international law Heidi Matthews about her role in the flotilla.
For those interested in following the 50 ship flotilla, the Global Sumud Tracker provides a regularly updated map showing the progress of each of the ships.
It also reports “incidents” in real time, including attempts by Israel to disable or block ships.
While in Tunis, drones dropped small firebombs – twice on “La familigia”, the largest of the flotilla ships. As Professor Matthews explained, nobody was hurt but the threat was clear.
Canada Talks Israel Palestine is the weekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion about Canada’s response to the Israel/Palestine issue with a focus on the truth, clear analysis and human rights for all. Readers with different points of view are invited to make comment.
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Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 
“Brave”? I sure hope it doesn’t end up with “martyrdom seeking” more appropriate. I just picked up news that Turkey and Egypt have decided to hold navad drills in the eastern Mediterranean coincident with the flotilla’s expected arrival. Could Turkey as a NATO member trigger Article 5 if it is attacked by Israel while defending the flotilla as it appears such is the raison d’etre for the drill.
Anyway, you may follow Alastair Crooke but here is the link. He is the top analyst on just about anything going on anywhere.
Bob Pflug
where are they now??!!