Boat carrying Greta Thunberg to Gaza intercepted by Israeli Navy
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Israeli naval forces on Monday intercepted the vessel carrying Swedish national Greta Thunberg and other activists to the Gaza Strip.
Calling it the 'selfie yacht' of 'celebrities,' Israel's Foreign Ministry said the 12 passengers had been given sandwiches and water and were being safely transported to the shores of the Jewish state. 'The show is over' and the activists will be sent back to their home countries, the ministry said.
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Ottawa Citizen
20 minutes ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Jewish outrage at RCMP war-crimes probe of Canadian IDF soldiers
The RCMP's 'structural investigation' into whether Canadian citizens serving with the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza may have committed war crimes has sparked outrage in the Jewish community and its leaders, who accuse Ottawa of political targeting. Article content 'It's funny how law enforcement in our cities have watched tens of thousands of people illegally protest and harass Jews while the RCMP tells us they want to play global cop and pour resources into finding bogeyman crimes,' said Toronto-based Israel Ellis, whose son Eitan is an Israeli soldier guarding a humanitarian corridor in Gaza. Article content Article content Article content After a flurry of media reports, the RCMP said in a statement on June 4 that it began investigating in early 2024 whether Canadian citizens were in contravention of this country's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Article content Article content The force said it wasn't a criminal investigation, but to 'collect, preserve and assess information' that included 'open-source material and voluntary submissions.' The data may be used in the future, if it meets the legal threshold for prosecution. Article content The RCMP statement did not specify any group, entity, or army by name — such as Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Abu Shabab, PFLP, Muslim Brotherhood, or others, who are fighting in the conflict in and around Israel. But multiple Jewish groups contacted by the National Post said the announcement seemed politically targeted at Canadians who have fought for the IDF. Article content Article content Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, president of Israel-based Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center, said the Mounties have made an 'unprecedented decision.' Article content Article content 'No other Western democracy is criminally investigating its citizens for fighting alongside an ally, let alone one defending itself from a genocidal terror organization,' she wrote in a statement. Article content The Canadian government 'should focus its pressure on Hamas — the party that initiated this war,' she said, adding her organization will provide 'legal defence and advocacy for those targeted by politically driven investigations.' Article content Hillel Neuer, the Montreal-born executive director of UN Watch, said the investigation is 'nothing less than a moral inversion. It turns Canadian values upside down.' Article content Neuer said that 'for good reason, Ottawa has never prosecuted dual citizens who served with British, French or American forces in fighting ISIS and al-Qaida.' He called it 'unconscionable' that the federal Liberals 'were even contemplating the prosecution of Canadians who fought in defence of civilians against a genocidal terrorist group.'
Vancouver Sun
22 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
Jewish outrage at RCMP war-crimes probe of Canadian IDF soldiers
The RCMP's 'structural investigation' into whether Canadian citizens serving with the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza may have committed war crimes has sparked outrage in the Jewish community and its leaders, who accuse Ottawa of political targeting. 'It's funny how law enforcement in our cities have watched tens of thousands of people illegally protest and harass Jews while the RCMP tells us they want to play global cop and pour resources into finding bogeyman crimes,' said Toronto-based Israel Ellis, whose son Eitan is an Israeli soldier guarding a humanitarian corridor in Gaza. After a flurry of media reports, the RCMP said in a statement on June 4 that it began investigating in early 2024 whether Canadian citizens were in contravention of this country's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The force said it wasn't a criminal investigation, but to 'collect, preserve and assess information' that included 'open-source material and voluntary submissions.' The data may be used in the future, if it meets the legal threshold for prosecution. The RCMP statement did not specify any group, entity, or army by name — such as Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Abu Shabab, PFLP, Muslim Brotherhood, or others, who are fighting in the conflict in and around Israel. But multiple Jewish groups contacted by the National Post said the announcement seemed politically targeted at Canadians who have fought for the IDF. Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, president of Israel-based Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center, said the Mounties have made an 'unprecedented decision.' 'No other Western democracy is criminally investigating its citizens for fighting alongside an ally, let alone one defending itself from a genocidal terror organization,' she wrote in a statement. The Canadian government 'should focus its pressure on Hamas — the party that initiated this war,' she said, adding her organization will provide 'legal defence and advocacy for those targeted by politically driven investigations.' Hillel Neuer, the Montreal-born executive director of UN Watch, said the investigation is 'nothing less than a moral inversion. It turns Canadian values upside down.' Neuer said that 'for good reason, Ottawa has never prosecuted dual citizens who served with British, French or American forces in fighting ISIS and al-Qaida.' He called it 'unconscionable' that the federal Liberals 'were even contemplating the prosecution of Canadians who fought in defence of civilians against a genocidal terrorist group.' Noy Leyb of Calgary, who recently served in Gaza, told the Post that when Israeli authorities suspect soldiers of wrongdoing, they are tried in court. He questions how the RCMP could acquire a full picture of any military operation. 'How do you know what happened at what time, at what day, for what reason an IDF soldier did what you think they did? You have no clue. You couldn't tell what happened unless you had somebody's body cam,' he said. 'Do you really think that they have all the necessary footage and resources that they need to make a judgment? No, like, stay in your lane. Focus on the issues that you have in Canada.' He noted that about 330 Gazans have come to Canada since the war began on Oct 7, 2023. 'Did anyone check whether they were involved with war crimes or Hamas? I'll bet not.' There are about 7,000 lone soldiers in Israel — those serving from other countries — while an IDF study showed that in 2022, before the current war against Hamas began, there were 51 Canadians. It's the second time this year Ellis thought his son Eitan was being targeted. In an article attacking the IDF for what it called 'ethnic cleansing, war crimes, apartheid and now genocide,' Canadian activist site The Maple published in February a list of 85 Canadian-Israelis, whom it said were current or former Israeli soldiers. Eitan was on the list. 'He doesn't know when or if there's a bullet with his name on it. But I never expected this kind of bullet that would come from my government, and that really tore up my heart. I felt betrayed,' said Ellis, who is author of a recent book about the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks. Noah Shack, interim president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, in a statement said that 'any suggestion that Israeli-Canadians should be targeted for their service — particularly in a war of self-defence waged by a close ally of Canada — not only represents a cynical distortion of the law, but fuels the violent hatred faced by Israelis and Jews in North America,' which he said included the two U.S. Embassy staffers shot in D.C. and the arson attacks in Colorado. In that respect, he wants to 'encourage authorities to carefully consider the impact on public safety of future statements, given the heightened threat environment faced by our community.' According to the RCMP website, international war crimes investigations are 'large, time consuming and resource intensive.' Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act provides the legal protocol for suspects to be charged and tried for crimes committed in another country. The site said investigators visit the country and work with local officials to seek eye-witnesses, conduct interviews, as well as search for and analyze evidence — provided they receive consent from the host nation. Michael Bueckert, acting president of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East ( CJPME ), an anti-Israel group, last week wrote an open letter to Justice Minister Sean Fraser, saying that his organization has 'been advocating for such an investigation.' In January, the group sent a letter to Arif Virani, Fraser's predecessor, to seek action against 'Canadian nationals in violations of international law in Gaza.' CJPME 'cautiously welcome' the RCMP probe and said there was 'serious likelihood' that Canadians were 'involved in the commission of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.' The group wants the government to issue warnings to Canadian nationals serving or volunteering with the Israeli military they may be 'criminally liable under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.' They want the Canada Border Services Agency to conduct 'detailed interviews' with Canadian nationals returning from foreign military service, to then share with the International Criminal Court. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, told the Post that the RCMP action could be traced to NGO-led campaigns that 'exploit legal frameworks.' After the RCMP's statement, NGO Monitor produced a study of Canadian anti-Israel organizations that use lawfare against Israel. 'Witch hunts under the facade of 'war crimes investigations' and parroting lies and propaganda will only add to the very real dangers facing Canadian Jews and others who stand with them,' he said. Shai DeLuca, a television personality in Toronto, is a former IDF combat engineer who believes the investigations were at the behest of 'very loud fundamentalist voices that the government is trying to pander to.' Yet, he said, 'nothing has been brought against any Canadian that served in the IDF from a year and a half ago until today. So, you know, I'm not concerned.' There are greater war catastrophes he said the Mounties could be investigating, including in Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. 'It's very important that people understand that service in the IDF during this war is not illegal in Canada, nor is it a war crime,' he added. The IDF is not providing Canada with information about soldiers' actions, he said, 'the same way that Canada would not supply any other country with their sovereign military secrets or operations. 'So the RCMP can pretend all that it wants that it's doing some investigation, but just like they said in that clarified statement, they're opening channels to people who want to send them stuff. Well, you know, people send me stuff all the time. Doesn't make it true.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Calgary Herald
24 minutes ago
- Calgary Herald
Jewish outrage at RCMP war-crimes probe of Canadian IDF soldiers
The RCMP's 'structural investigation' into whether Canadian citizens serving with the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza may have committed war crimes has sparked outrage in the Jewish community and its leaders, who accuse Ottawa of political targeting. Article content 'It's funny how law enforcement in our cities have watched tens of thousands of people illegally protest and harass Jews while the RCMP tells us they want to play global cop and pour resources into finding bogeyman crimes,' said Toronto-based Israel Ellis, whose son Eitan is an Israeli soldier guarding a humanitarian corridor in Gaza. Article content Article content Article content After a flurry of media reports, the RCMP said in a statement on June 4 that it began investigating in early 2024 whether Canadian citizens were in contravention of this country's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Article content Article content The force said it wasn't a criminal investigation, but to 'collect, preserve and assess information' that included 'open-source material and voluntary submissions.' The data may be used in the future, if it meets the legal threshold for prosecution. Article content The RCMP statement did not specify any group, entity, or army by name — such as Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Abu Shabab, PFLP, Muslim Brotherhood, or others, who are fighting in the conflict in and around Israel. But multiple Jewish groups contacted by the National Post said the announcement seemed politically targeted at Canadians who have fought for the IDF. Article content Article content Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, president of Israel-based Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center, said the Mounties have made an 'unprecedented decision.' Article content Article content 'No other Western democracy is criminally investigating its citizens for fighting alongside an ally, let alone one defending itself from a genocidal terror organization,' she wrote in a statement. Article content The Canadian government 'should focus its pressure on Hamas — the party that initiated this war,' she said, adding her organization will provide 'legal defence and advocacy for those targeted by politically driven investigations.' Article content Hillel Neuer, the Montreal-born executive director of UN Watch, said the investigation is 'nothing less than a moral inversion. It turns Canadian values upside down.' Article content Neuer said that 'for good reason, Ottawa has never prosecuted dual citizens who served with British, French or American forces in fighting ISIS and al-Qaida.' He called it 'unconscionable' that the federal Liberals 'were even contemplating the prosecution of Canadians who fought in defence of civilians against a genocidal terrorist group.'
