Former Kamloops activist returns to Canada after Gaza Flotilla detention, addresses abuse allegations

Activists involved in the mission allege they were subjected to dehumanizing conditions while in Israeli custody. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has condemned what she called “appalling abuse” suffered by Canadians detained during the operation.

Anand continues to speak out on X.

Spoke this morning with Israeli Foreign Minister @gidonsaar to raise Canada’s serious concern with Israel’s mistreatment of Canadian participants in the flotilla. I raised that denying Canadian citizens access to consular services while they were detained violates the Vienna… pic.twitter.com/COG0Tp7To7

— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) May 25, 2026

The federal government has also summoned Israel’s ambassador to Canada over what Anand described as the “mistreatment of civilians” aboard the flotilla. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the treatment of activists “abominable” and “unacceptable.”

Now circulating online via Global Sumud Canada’s Instagram, is a video of Sebastian Tow pleading his testimony and recounting his experience to the ears captured by disbelief inside Vancouver Airport.

“It was not mistreatment, it was four days of systematic torture.” says Sebastian Tow.

“We were at gunpoint, kidnapped in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea by commandos and every one of us that was dragged aboard the prison ships, was dragged through a corridor and then tortured and beaten… every single one of us.” Tow added. “We had nothing but stale and frozen bread.”

Tow stated on his ship alone, there were more than 30 cases of broken or fractured ribs and 10 to 20 cases of sexual assault – all perpetrated by Israeli forces.

Israeli prison officials have denied allegations of abuse.

by Jeremy Russo

Former Kamloops activist returns to Canada after Gaza Flotilla detention, addresses abuse allegations

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