A trio of individuals from Newfoundland who were held by Israel while sailing on a flotilla destined for Gaza have been released, as confirmed by a relative of one of the women involved. Devoney Ellis, Sadie Mees, and Nikita Stapleton were part of the crew on the vessel named the Conscience, which was one of nine ships in the flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. The trio was detained by Israeli authorities on Wednesday but has since been liberated, with the news conveyed to their families early Sunday.
Vicki Axford, Mees’s aunt, expressed immense relief upon learning of their release from what she referred to as a desert prison, emphasizing their safety and imminent return home. A post on social media by Palestine Action YYT, a local activist group, disclosed that Ellis, Mees, and Stapleton have safely arrived in Jordan. Axford mentioned that the earliest expected arrival time for the group back home is early Tuesday morning.
While Axford acknowledged the family’s relief at the news, she pointed out that the women’s mission to deliver aid to Palestinians remains unresolved, citing ongoing occupation and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. The recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was ratified by Israel’s government on Friday, paving the way for the cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza within specified timeframes.
Political leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador, including NDP Leader Jim Dinn, had advocated for the women’s release, transcending partisan divides. The City of St. John’s had passed a motion urging Ottawa to enforce a two-way arms embargo with Israel, a proposal that Dinn intends to raise in the provincial legislature. Dinn emphasized the importance of collective efforts to ensure lasting peace, highlighting the interconnectedness of local and global dynamics in fostering peace initiatives.
Acknowledging the role of governments at all levels in promoting peace, Dinn emphasized the need for concerted national and provincial actions to support enduring peace. Newfoundland MP Joanne Thompson expressed gratitude towards consular officials and Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand for their efforts in facilitating the release of the women, underscoring the collective relief felt as they journey back home.