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The Star All-Canadian boat aims to bring aid to Gaza VANCOUVER—A British Columbia activist who was on last year’s Gaza-bound flotilla when it was raided by Israeli forces says he is going back, this time on an all-Canadian boat. The Canadian Boat for Gaza initiative is in the process of raising $300,000 for a boat that would deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. But after nine activists were killed as part of an attempt to defy Israel’s naval blockade last year, Ottawa is strongly advising against the plans by pro-Palestinian Canadian groups to send the Canadian-registered aid boat. Kevin Neish, a retired government employee from Victoria, was on the MV Mavi Marmara, one of six boats that were part of the Free Gaza Movement last May when violence erupted between those onboard and Israeli forces. He said he was beaten and arrested by the Israeli army before returning safely to Canada. But Neish, who said he has a long history of activism, said he plans to participate in this latest flotilla despite knowing the outcome could be deadly. “The goal isn’t to send aid to Gaza, but to break the blockade,” Neish said. “I am committed to going back. I was committed to return when I was in prison in Israel.” The MV Mavi Marmara was packed with 546 activists last spring when it was boarded by Israeli commandos dropping from helicopters. When the ensuing melee was finished, nine Turkish activists were dead and an Israeli commando had been stabbed. The ship was part of a deliberate effort to draw international attention to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. For more than three years, Israel has allowed only basic human aid and food from entering Gaza and has argued that allowing the flotilla through could have opened up future opportunities for weapons and militants to be smuggled in. The deaths, however, were a diplomatic nightmare. One of the leading organizers for the latest group, Ehab Lotayef, said the plan is to sail on March 30. The Canadian boat would be part of a flotilla that is expected to include boats from Europe and India. “We are exactly at $152,000 so far,” said Lotayef in an interview from Montreal. The Canadian organizers plan to purchase a vessel, supplies and aid with the money, and Lotayef said depending on the funds, they plan to put up to 40 Canadians onboard. “It is an initiative to challenge illegality and support people who have no means of supporting themselves ... We are not going except with a peaceful mission,” Lotayef said. Lotayef said organizers are hoping Israel will lift the naval blockade, though they are aware the flotilla could be turned around by Israeli forces or that there could be another violent confrontation. Pierre Florea, a Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesman, said the Canadian government stands by Israel’s right to protect its border. “Canadians are strongly advised against participating in any attempt to break the naval blockade,” he said, noting Foreign Affairs normally advises against any unnecessary travel to Gaza. “Canadian consular officials have very limited ability to intervene on behalf of Canadians who choose to enter or remain in the Gaza Strip. Canada urges those wishing to deliver humanitarian goods to do so through the established channels.” Meanwhile, the Canadian organizers are facing other challenges. A group of University of British Columbia students with the campus society Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights had lobbied the UBC student council for $700 for the initiative. The funds were approved, but the student body president launched an investigation after suspicions were raised that the money wasn’t going to the aid effort. “There was a complaint against the donation,” said Omar Shaban, with the pro-Palestinian campus society. “Later we were accused of supporting terrorism.” Bijan Ahmadian, president of the UBC student body, said the investigation involved the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and FINTRAC, an independent agency that tracks suspicious financial transactions. “We were concerned the funds would be going to support terrorism so we asked FINTRAC if they have any records and they just told us they have nothing to be suspicious of,” Ahmadian said.
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