The viciousness of the Israeli treatment of the Gaza flotilla protesters in May 2026 shocked the western world. Not only by what they did, but that a cabinet minister recorded it and bragged about it to his fellow Israelis. It caused an unprecedented round of criticism from Western governments. What has changed and why? See OFIP’s interview with Ehab Lotayev who has been a participant in three Gaza flotillas.

Ehad Lotayef was one of 12 Canadian participants in the 2026 Gaza Sumud flotilla. He had already participated in two other flotillas attempting to bring food and aid to the beseiged people of Gaza since Israel imposed its siege in 2007. There’s no official running total, but adding up documented numbers from each campaign gives ∼4,000–5,000 people since 2008.

A brief history of Gaza flotillas

• 2008 Free Gaza Movement – first 2 boats: 46 activists
• 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla: 6 ships, ∼700 passengers — Mavi Marmara alone had 600+
• 2011 Freedom Flotilla II: Planned 1,000 activists, but only fewer than 300 participated after Greece blocked it
• 2015 Freedom Flotilla III: 4 boats, est. 50–70 people
• 2016 Women’s Boat to Gaza: 2 boats, 13–30 women per boat
• 2018 Just Future for Palestine: 4 boats, ∼40 peopleJune/July
• 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla: ∼500 volunteers on 50 ships, with 450 detained
• 2026 Global Sumud: April 58 boats, 181 detained in first interception
• 2026 Global Sumud: May 54 vessels, 430 detained

These were humanitarian missions. The ships were all carrying baby formula and medical supplies. None was ever able to reach Gaza but it is doubtful that many really expected to get past the Israeli Navy. They were unabashedly dramatic acts aimed at drawing public (i.e. Western) attention to Israel’s illegal blockade and the appalling conditions imposed on a trapped population.

However, western media showed little interest in either the flotillas, or the fate of those involved, apart from the 2010 flotilla in which Israel killed 10 activists. After 2010, Israel laid low and “made nice” to flotilla protesters, according to Ehab Lotayev who participated in 2011.

But in the last three years, since the genocide in Gaza began, the Israelis have become much more vicious – even treating white Europeans the way they have been treating Palestinians for decades.

This time thanks to a triumphant video shown by none other than Ben Gvir, an Israeli cabinet minister, the appalling treatment of the humanitarian flotilla participants came to the attention of the world. Those images provoked global outrage, including a rare condemnation of Israel by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

We asked Lotayev why he thinks Israel is becoming so obscenely violent, including raping women. Is it because they feel they are ‘immune” from western reprisals, or is it because they see that the Zionist project is falling apart as argued by many observers including Israeli historian Ilan Pappe. And why has Canada reacted differently this time?

Watch my full interview with Ehab Lotayev HERE.

Canada Talks Israel Palestine is the biweekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion ababout the Israel/Palestine issue from a Canadian perspective. Readers are invited to make comment. To get on our regular mailing list, or for more information write: ofip.chair@gmail.com