St. John’s residents [L-R] Nikita Stapleton, Sadie Mees and Devoney Ellis are currently en route to Gaza aboard the Conscience, a vessel which is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Facebook photo. Yumna Iftikhar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Independent
By Yumna Iftikhar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Independent
October 5, 2025
Sadie Mees, Devoney Ellis and Nikita Stapleton say their family and friends were initially concerned about their decision to join a global movement aimed at breaking Israel’s siege on Gaza. But their loved ones understand the three activists from Newfoundland are motivated by a desire to help Palestinian families facing a genocide.
“Everybody, all of my loved ones, were able to channel the fear and the concern that they have for me to understand that we need to maintain that same level of concern for all lives, not just people who are close to us,” Ellis said in an Oct. 1 interview, just after the three set sail on a boat called Conscience. The vessel is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and is carrying dozens of journalists and medics from 25 countries.
Huwaida Arraf, FFC steering committee member aboard the ship, said the name Conscience represents the “steadfast resistance to Israel’s illegal blockade, but a call to awaken the conscience of the world.”
The Conscience was on a similar mission earlier this year but was attacked off the coast of Malta in May. FFC accused Israel of the attack but Israel has not publicly confirmed whether it was responsible.
Ellis said there is a sense of determination and motivation among the activists and crew. “I personally am humbled to be here and to be able to be a part of this, such an important movement, and hopefully an important part of history of breaking this illegal siege.”
Mees said she feels some anxiety because she doesn’t know how Israel will act. Israel has previously intercepted and raided all other humanitarian flotillas that have tried to break the blockade, including the most recent interception of the Sumud flotilla on Wednesday, which took place following the interview for this story.
Canada’s complicity, silence
The three activists said they contacted their political representatives before leaving but did not receive a response, except Mees, who said she received a “standard response” from St. John’s East MP Joanne Thompson’s office that she interpreted to mean, “my thoughts and concerns are valued by they won’t be able to respond.” Mees said the response was disheartening, “considering the possible intensity of the situation we’re in and the fact that it is their job to represent us. But seemingly this isn’t important enough for them to respond to.”
The trio also said they reached out multiple times to federal politicians about Canada’s role in Israel’s war but have been met with silence.
Canada provides military components to the United States that are used in the American made F-35 fighter jets, which senior Israeli military officials have suggested were used in bombing Gaza. “It’s absurd that they would send aid to be involved in aerial aid drops while at the same time providing the weapons components for the F-35 that drop bombs,” Stapleton said.
In 2024, Canada said it would stop approving new permits for military exports to Israel, but the government continued supplying goods via previously-approved permits. A July 2025 report released by Embargo Now and researchers from several NGOs says Canadian goods, including ammunition, continue to enter Israel, even after the country banned military goods exports.
Canada doesn’t supply weapons to Israel directly but oversees and authorizes military-related sales made by Canadian companies to Israeli firms.
Stapleton added they were disappointed in the lack of action from the Canadian government, which has a responsibility to protect Canadian citizens abroad. “Particularly because the mission that we’re engaging in is a lawful mission. We have the right, protected by the UN,” Stapleton said. “Also, humanitarian law protects what we’re doing, and so any interception or interference by Israel is illegal by international law.”
Mees shared a message to people in Newfoundland and Labrador who may be wondering how they can help. She encouraged them to call their elected representatives to demand safe passage for the three to provide much needed aid to Gaza. She also encouraged residents to demand an effective two-way arms embargo and sanctions on Israel.
“Personal messages and calls are far more effective, and so we would like people to do that, and we would like them to keep eyes on Gaza,” she said.
Hospitals destroyed, journalists killed
As of Sept. 26, there are just 14 functioning hospitals left to serve the nearly 2 million people in Gaza. The World Health Organization estimated that between October 7, 2023 and June 11, 2025, there were 735 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, during which more than 900 people were killed and 1,411 injured.
Hospitals are operating far beyond their capacities and most life-saving medicines are out of stock in Gaza. Gazans are being treated and operated on without anaesthetics because of the shortage of pain killers. UN experts have accused Israel of “deliberately attacking and starving healthcare workers, paramedics and hospitals to wipe out medical care in the besieged enclave.” They said healthcare workers have fainted due to lack of food and starvation, which “curtails their ability to perform their duties and compromises the care and healing conditions necessary to treat their patients.”
According to the International Federation of Journalists, at least 246 journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war — making it the deadliest conflict for media personnel ever recorded, although the number of deaths differ slightly.
According to an April 2025 Brown University report, Cost of War, more journalists have been killed in Gaza than during the American Civil War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars and the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks — combined.
Israel’s attacks have killed Al Jazeera, Reuters and Associated Press journalists, among others. In some cases, journalists with tents and press vehicles clearly marked as “press” have been killed, leading to accusations that the attacks were premeditated assassinations. Under international law, purposely killing journalists is considered a war crime.
On Aug. 10 of this year, an Israeli strike killed six journalists near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The attack drew widespread condemnation from the international community including the United Nations, European Union, United Kingdom and France. Canada also condemned the attack.
Israel’s targeting of journalists has resulted in “one of the most severe and sustained press blackouts in modern history,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said in a recent statement. Journalists aboard the Conscience are attempting to change that by bringing their services and humanitarian aid. “As journalists and medical professionals, we carry the responsibility to speak truth and preserve life,” Dr. Ricardo Corradini, a general surgeon from Italy, said on Sept. 30. “This mission is an appeal to our colleagues — and to the institutions that represent us globally — to break their silence, uphold their ethics, and stand on the right side of history.”
Most international journalists are barred from entering Gaza by Israel, and those allowed must remain under the supervision of Israel’s military, who can monitor what journalists see and who they talk to.
Flotilla raided by Israel
On Wednesday, Israel’s Navy began raiding the Sumud flotilla, the largest civilian-led maritime mission ever to attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Comprising more than 50 vessels, the flotilla was carrying humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and hundreds of activists, journalists, lawmakers and parliamentarians from over 44 countries. On board the flotilla were Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
United Nations experts have supported the flotilla’s efforts and said that any attempt to block it would “constitute a grave violation of international law and humanitarian principles.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced plans to deport all individuals captured on the flotilla.
In response, several countries, including South Africa, Ireland, Türkiye, and Malaysia, have condemned the interception. Italy and Germany have called for the safe return of their citizens. Two of Italy’s largest unions called for a general strike on Friday in support of the flotilla and Gaza, resulting in key services in the country being halted. Protests have eruptedglobally in response to Israel’s interception.
Growing support from N.L. and Canada
On Thursday the Green Party of Canada condemned Israel’s actions. “Once again we call for immediate and forceful action to halt the escalating catastrophe in Palestine,” the party said in a statement. “Our commitment to Nonviolence, Human Rights, and International Solidarity compels us to speak clearly.”
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a growing number of civil society groups are speaking out in support of Mees, Ellis and Stapleton and of the wider movement to break israel’s siege of Gaza amid the ongoing genocide.
Last week an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney from Memorial University faculty and students called on Carney to ensure the safety of the Newfoundlanders taking part in the flotilla.
On Oct. 1 the St. John’s Status of Women Council echoed that call, asking the federal government to “take decisive and compassionate action to uphold Canada’s commitment to human rights and justice, to provide safe passage of Canadian citizens and all onboard the entire flotilla by ensuring the unimpeded access of aid, a permanent ceasefire and an effective immediate two-way arms embargo.”
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, which represents 70,000 workers in the province, is also speaking out. “Throughout history, workers have bravely opposed oppressive apartheid regimes. Working people know that rights are never given — they are taken through struggle, resistance, solidarity and courage. These principles are embodied by all those who are on board the Freedom Flotilla as they attempt to deliver much needed humanitarian aid,” the federation said in a statement on its Facebook page.
The federation is also calling on the federal government to “protect Canadian crew members from harm as they sail in international waters,” and to “secure their safe return if they are abducted by Israeli forces.”
Meanwhile, the N.L. chapter of the Canadian Federation of Students said in a social media post Friday that it “stands in unwavering solidarity with two alumni and one current graduate student from Memorial University who have joined the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
“As students, we refuse to remain silent in the face of genocide and occupation. Together we must demand: Divest from genocide. End the blockade. Free Palestine.”
In a video posted to social media after the Conscience launched on Sept. 30, Mees says she has “a duty to take action” against Israel’s genocide since the Government of Canada has made Canadians complicit via the export of military goods to Israel. “The Canadian media is also complicit in this genocide; they insist on two-siding this issue when we know that it is not a two-sided issue. It is a genocide. It is a symptom of settler colonialism, of imperialism, and we cannot allow this to continue. Everybody has a duty to take action.”
To date, Prime Minister Carney has not yet publicly addressed the civilian effort to break Israel’s siege of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians, nor has he stated whether the Canadian government will do anything to ensure the safety of Canadians aboard the flotilla vessels.
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On Friday The Independent asked the Prime Minister’s Office for comment on the calls for the Canadian government to ensure the flotilla participants’ safety but did not receive a response by the time of publication.