Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is calling on Canadians detained by Israeli authorities to accept Ottawa’s consular assistance as diplomatic efforts continue to secure their release.
Anand confirmed that six Canadians have been detained after boarding boats in the Mediterranean Sea bound for Gaza as part of the civilian Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Ottawa has formally requested that Israeli officials release them “as soon as possible.”
She noted that in some cases, consular officials stationed in the region have offered help that detainees initially declined. Accepting that assistance, Anand said, can make it easier to work through local legal and diplomatic channels. “Consular assistance can help in allowing the process with the Israeli officials on the ground to flow more easily,” she explained.
The activists were part of a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, a move that Israel has repeatedly blocked. Earlier, three other Canadians detained on a separate vessel were released.
Palestine Action YYT, an advocacy group based in Newfoundland and Labrador, confirmed that three of the detained activists are from the province. Ottawa continues to monitor the situation closely and is engaging Israeli officials on the detainees’ behalf.