Three activists from Newfoundland detained by Israeli military: advocacy group

An Israeli Navy vessel moves in the Mediterranean Sea toward the port of Ashdod, Israel, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The Israeli navy is intercepting the aid boats from the civilian Gaza-bound flotilla Sumud as they approached the coast of Gaza. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Leo Correa

ST. JOHN’S — ST. JOHN'S — An advocacy group in Newfoundland and Labrador says three activists from the province were recently detained by the Israeli military while they were part of a flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Palestine Action YYT issued a statement Wednesday identifying the three as Sadie Mees, Nikita Stapleton and Devoney Ellis, saying they were believed to be among many protesters detained by the Israeli navy earlier in the day.

The group describes itself as an independent community organization committed to the liberation of Palestine.

“The Canadian government must act immediately to protect its citizens (and) demand their safe return,” said Palestine Action spokesman Nicolas Keough, adding that Ottawa must publicly condemn Israel’s detention of civilians at sea.

On Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand posted a brief statement on social media saying she was aware that six Canadians had been detained in Israel.

She said officials with Global Affairs Canada were in touch with Israeli authorities and were offering consular services to all Canadian citizens.

"Canada urges Israel to ensure the safety of our citizens and to facilitate their swift release," Anand said in the statement. "We will provide more information as it becomes available."

Global Affairs Canada could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday. The federal department confirmed on Tuesday that Israel would release some unnamed Canadians previously detained in the area.

Earlier this week, Israel arrested hundreds of people sailing with a separate flotilla, including well-known Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry says it has offered voluntary deportation to all of the detained activists, adding that those who remain in detention are choosing to go through a legal deportation process.

Some activists have returned to their home countries alleging that they had been tortured, abused and humiliated by Israeli guards.

Meanwhile, Global Affairs Canada says consular officials are in touch with local authorities.

Palestine Action says the three women were in international waters with other boats from the “Freedom Flotilla” when their boat — a vessel dubbed Conscience — was intercepted by the Israeli navy.

“This attack mirrors the recent assault on the Sumud Flotilla on Oct. 2, 2025, and continues Israel’s pattern of … aggression against civilians attempting to break its siege on Gaza,” the group said.

An online statement from the Freedom Flotilla says the Conscience was boarded by the Israeli military on Wednesday morning around 4:30 a.m. local time. The statement says that by the early afternoon, the vessel was being led to the Israeli port of Ashdod, about 40 kilometres south of Tel Aviv.

“Israeli occupation forces boarded the Conscience using a helicopter,” the group said. “We have lost contact and are awaiting an update from our lawyers.”

The group said the boat was carrying 145 activists from 30 countries.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2025.

The Canadian Press