Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Israeli President Isaac Herzog that Israel’s treatment of detained flotilla activists is “appalling” and “unacceptable” after a call between the two on Monday.
This marks the latest in a wave of backlash after Israel’s Minister of Public Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, posted a video of him tormenting bound and detained activists. The activists were part of the Global Sumund Flotilla, an international coalition sailing to Gaza to deliver food and medicine, as well as attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the region. Forty-five vessels of the most recent convoy were intercepted by Israel Defense Forces from May 18 to 19 in the territorial waters of Cyprus and the activists have since been detained without charges, with allegations circulating of beatings and mistreatment towards the detainees. Of the hundreds detained activists, 12 are Canadian. Nine were returned to Canada last weekend, two are en route elsewhere, and one is in Turkey receiving “urgent medical care” following “appalling abuse.”
Canada’s foreign affairs minister Anita Anand summoned the Israeli ambassador last Wednesday and called the aforementioned video “deeply troubling” and “unacceptable.” Canada has previously sanctioned Itamar Ben-Gvir over incitement of hatred and support for illegal settlement expansions, however has not yet announced any new measures regarding the recent abuses of the flotilla activists and Canadian citizens.
Multiple Canadians have been killed by Israel without tangible diplomatic responses from the Canadian government. Famously, Jacob Flickinger, a Canadian veteran and humanitarian aid worker was killed in by an Israeli strike in April 2024, and last month Canadian Mohammad Hassan Haidar was killed by an Israeli strike in Lebanon. Neither case resulted in diplomatic penalties against Israel, however Canada urged Israeli official to conduct investigations into the killings. IDF officials have apologized for the killing of Flickinger, however this apology was rejected by Flickinger’s family who called for an independent investigation.
PM Carney concluded his statement by reaffirming his commitment to international law and a “negotiated two-state solution,” as well as his “unwavering commitment” to supporting Israel’s national security.
