Christian Martel, a recently retired letter-carrier from the Quebec City area, left Quebec City’s Jean-Lesage International Airport on Wednesday 17th June to join the Freedom Flotilla III<

Canadian Boat to Gaza files for return of Tahrir

On June 11, 2012, the Toronto law firm of Jackman Nazami and associates filed a letter with Israeli authorities on behalf of the Canadian Boat to Gaza steering committee, requesting the return of our vessel Tahrir and its cargo, illegally seized on November 4, 2011 in international waters (you can see the letter here). An assistant to the Israeli minister of defense acknowledged receipt of our letter on June 12, but the government of Israel has not yet replied to the substance of our claim. Our Australian, Belgian and Danish partners who helped purchase the Tahrir are considering appropriate action in their respective countries.

Last January, the Canadian government made it clear that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade would not be helping us recover the Tahrir and its cargo, stating that they consider it a “private matter”. Many Canadians and others disagree: more than 600 individuals and groups have signed our Declaration and Call demanding action from the Canadian government to help secure the return of our ship with its contents, and to press Israel to end the illegal and inhuman blockade of Gaza. We invite you to do the same, and to seek the support of organizations for this Declaration and Call.