B.C. man on Gaza flotilla returns home
Last Updated: Sunday, June 6, 2010 | 11:48 AM PT
The Canadian Press
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Victoria-based activist Kevin Neish was aboard one of the vessels in a Gaza-bound flotilla that was stormed by Israeli troops on Monday. (CBC)A B.C. man who was on board an aid ship raided by Israeli forces off the Gaza coast last Monday has returned home.
Kevin Neish, 53, said he was kidnapped by Israeli forces and watched as people on his boat were killed.
The Victoria-based activist was taken into Israeli custody, where he said he was "brutalized" by his captors and repeatedly threatened with death.
After being deported, Neish flew home Saturday and was greeted by friends and family as he arrived in Victoria.
Neish said in some ways, he's sad to be back home. He said it was hard leaving some of his shipmates behind in Israeli jails.
Officially, the number of people killed in Monday's violence at sea is pegged at nine. But Neish claims he saw 16 people killed on the boat he was on.
Meanwhile, other Canadians hit the streets Saturday to demonstrate their anger with Israel.
Hundreds turned out for protests in downtown Vancouver and in other cities across Canada to denounce Israel's action against ships carrying aid for Gaza. Many protesters also blasted the Harper government for not strongly condemning the Israeli military action.
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