Three Newfoundlanders who were part of a flotilla en route to Gaza and detained by Israel have been released, as confirmed by a family member. Devoney Ellis, Sadie Mees, and Nikita Stapleton were aboard the vessel named the Conscience, one of nine ships aiming to reach Gaza and were detained by Israeli authorities on Wednesday. They have now been freed and were able to communicate with their families early Sunday morning, according to Mees’s aunt, Vicki Axford.
The trio has safely arrived in Jordan, as reported by local activist group Palestine Action YYT. Axford mentioned that the earliest possible time for their return home is early Tuesday morning. Although Axford expressed relief, she noted that the women’s mission to deliver aid to Palestinians remains incomplete due to ongoing occupation and restrictions on humanitarian assistance.
Israel’s government recently agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, facilitating the cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives. Political figures in Newfoundland and Labrador, including NDP Leader Jim Dinn, advocated for the women’s release and emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation. The City of St. John’s passed a motion urging Ottawa to impose a two-way arms embargo with Israel, a proposal that Dinn intends to present in the provincial legislature.
Dinn emphasized the global interconnectedness and the collective responsibility to strive for lasting peace, emphasizing the roles of all levels of government in fostering peace. Efforts by consular officials and Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand were recognized by Newfoundland MP Joanne Thompson for their role in securing the women’s release.
In conclusion, the Newfoundlanders’ release has sparked discussions on peacebuilding efforts at both local and national levels, underscoring the importance of collaborative action for a peaceful resolution.
