Mother of former Kamloops activist detained by Israeli forces expresses support, concern

Tow was among more than 400 activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted several vessels Tuesday in international waters. Tow had joined the flotilla after spending weeks overseas helping coordinate with activists from around the world.

His mother says his involvement came after years of growing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“He has been doing increased activism in the last few years and increasingly concerned about the situation in Gaza… he felt a real need to do something instead of just going to marches and writing letters.” says Tow’s mother, Anita Wittenberg, who spoke with CFJC News Wednesday (May 20).

Sebastian graduated from an American university last spring, where his mother says he helped lead a student campaign pushing administrators to disclose where university donations were coming from. She says that experience helped shape the decision to join the flotilla mission, despite knowing the risks involved.

Tow eventually travelled to Greece before meeting other activists in Turkey ahead of the convoy’s departure.

“He knew the risks going into it and spoke to his sister and I very seriously about it… but the goal was always to bring the aid, to bring that medicine to Gaza,” says Wittenberg.

According to organizers, activists from roughly 45 countries joined the flotilla, which had been travelling for several days before Israeli forces intercepted the vessels. Videos released online showing detainees handcuffed onboard ships have since intensified international reaction.

A political scientist at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) says the situation has quickly evolved beyond a dispute over the naval blockade itself.

“Seeing these foreign nationals handcuffed and kneeling on the floor transformed this from a maritime border dispute into an explosive human rights controversy,” said Dr. Saira Bano, an assistant political science professor at TRU.

Israel has defended the naval blockade as a security measure intended to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, but critics argue the restrictions have worsened humanitarian conditions inside Gaza and prevented aid from reaching civilians.

Bano says the incident is now placing growing diplomatic pressure on countries whose citizens were detained.

“When countries like Canada, Italy and Spain begin summoning ambassadors and condemning the treatment of detainees, it signals a profound diplomatic rupture,” said Bano.

Global Affairs Canada says it is monitoring the situation involving Canadians believed to be onboard.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is also weighing in on the incident. Posting to X on Wednesday morning, Carney called the treatment of civilians on board “unacceptable” and says that Canada has summoned to Israel’s ambassador over concerns about the safety of Canadians involved.

Meanwhile, Tow’s family members says they are relying largely on updates from organizers and legal teams working on the ground in Israel.

His mother says despite the uncertainty surrounding his detention, she continues to support Sebastian’s decision to take part in the mission – one of the many families waiting for their loved ones’ safe return.

“He really wanted to get that aid there because he can’t see these starving kids anymore… and he believed people couldn’t just stand by,” she said.

by Jeremy Russo

Mother of former Kamloops activist detained by Israeli forces expresses support, concern

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