RICHMOND – On Sunday, May 24, 2026, three activists from Canada, who were part of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, returned home to Vancouver. The activists, Sebastian Tow, Michael France, and Mary Grace Mathisen, recounted their harrowing experiences during their detention, which Tow described as a period of four days filled with continuous beatings and torture.
Upon their arrival at Vancouver International Airport, they were warmly welcomed by hundreds of supporters, family, and friends, embracing in tears and hugs. Tow, a Vancouver resident, shared that the flotilla group was “kidnapped” in the Mediterranean Sea by Israeli forces and forcefully taken aboard prison ships where they faced brutal treatment. He revealed that he suffered various injuries, including several Taser burns and bruises, while many others experienced even more severe injuries, with more than 30 cases of broken ribs reported on his prison ship alone.
Throughout their ordeal, Tow indicated that there was a constant state of uncertainty among the detainees, with thoughts of potential extreme violence looming overhead. He expressed how the lack of communication left the group unsure of their fate and how to respond to the evolving situation around them.
The flotilla, organized by Global Sumud, consisted of 420 participants across 41 boats, all intercepted while attempting to bring symbolic aid to Gaza amidst Israeli restrictions. The situation has garnered attention from Canadian government officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who acknowledged receiving reports of “appalling abuse” from officials in Turkey but did not elaborate on the details of the accounts. Israeli prison officials, on the other hand, have denied all allegations of abuse.
Tow highlighted the inhumane conditions faced by the detainees, mentioning that elderly members were not only beaten but also denied access to their medications. He detailed the poor living conditions aboard the prison ships, where they survived on stale bread and had insufficient access to water for two days.
Following their initial detainment, the activists were transferred to the Port of Ashdod in southern Israel, where they were subjected to harsh treatment, forced to kneel under the scorching sun for hours. Subsequently, they were moved to Quetzion Prison, a maximum-security facility located in the Negev Desert, before being deported to Turkey. Tow recounted an incident where about 100 detainees were crammed into a cage lined with razor wire, while Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunted them, but he stood firm and made eye contact with Ben-Gvir, interpreting his aggressive behavior as a display of fear.
Throughout the ordeal, Tow reflected on how their experience, though traumatic, is a small part of the daily struggles faced by Palestinians under occupation. Anita Whittenberg, Tow’s mother, expressed profound relief during their reunion at the airport, emphasizing her gratitude for the public support that aided in their quicker release than initially anticipated.
Whittenberg urged Canadians to apply pressure on the federal government to impose sanctions against Israel, advocating for the necessity of holding those responsible for the alleged mistreatment accountable. The incident continues to evoke strong reactions from various sectors of society, reflecting ongoing tensions regarding humanitarian aid efforts and international relations concerning the Gaza region.
