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Gaza anti-blockade activists beaten when being forcibly removed from Canadian boat


LONDON, ON - A Canadian man aboard a Gaza-bound vessel was apparently beaten and injured when arrested by Israeli authorities when it was intercepted Friday, a colleagues says.

Israeli authorities on Saturday began deporting pro-Palestinian activists who tried to breach the Jewish state's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

David Heap (pictured above), Peace and Social Justice chair for the London chapter of the Council of Canadians, is still in custody at Givon prison. Heap also sits on a steering committee with People for Peace, London and teaches French studies and linguistics at the University of Western Ontario.

The Israeli navy on Friday intercepted a Canadian vessel and an Irish boat carrying 27 activists and medical supplies which had set sail from Turkey toward the Gaza Strip.

Wendy Goldsmith, of People for Peace, said the boat was intercepted 30 miles from the Gaza coast in international waters.

"Our folks peacefully refused to leave and they were violently taken off the boat and beaten but I don't know the extent of their injuries," Goldsmith said.

"David was beaten. We're pressing for independent evidence that they are okay and not hurt. They were visited by Canadian consulate authorities and all they've said is they are all right. Beyond that, our Canadian government has done nothing." more

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