Canada demands Israel probe ‘appalling’ treatment of flotilla members
OTTAWA, May 25 (Reuters) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday that the treatment of activists detained by Israel was “appalling” and described the situation in Gaza as a “catastrophe”, Carney’s office said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister reiterated that the appalling treatment of civilians, including Canadian citizens, on the flotilla bound for Gaza was unacceptable and called for an independent investigation,” the statement said. expressions were used.
Carney also affirmed Canada’s opposition to the illegal expansion of Israeli settlements, settler violence in the West Bank and violence against Palestinian civilians.
Although Carney condemned Israeli interference with flotilla members last week, the broad scope of his condemnation on Monday underscores how strained ties have become between Israel and some of its closest allies.
During the meeting, Israeli President Isaac Herzog “expressed his condemnation of the pro-Hamas flotilla that aims to directly undermine UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and its next phase, including the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a new government in Gaza.”
Israel has repeatedly said the flotilla activists were linked to Hamas but has not provided evidence.
“The two leaders agreed that Iran is a regional and global threat and should never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons,” Herzog’s office said. he said.
Activists who were released after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to harassment, many were hospitalized with injuries, and at least 15 reported sexual assault, including rape, organizers said. Israel’s prison service denied the allegations.
Israel’s ambassador to Canada told the Globe and Mail newspaper last week that bilateral government-to-government relations were the worst ever.
Separately, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said she spoke to her Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar on Monday and told him that Ottawa would present evidence to Israel that Canadians in the flotilla were mistreated.
“I stated that denying Canadian citizens access to consular services while in custody violates the Vienna Convention and should never happen again,” he said in a post on X.
Saar said he told Anand that the activists were inspired by Hamas.
“I also highlighted the terrible antisemitic wave in Canada; an average of 19 incidents a day. The Canadian government must take action against antisemitic incitement and attacks,” he said in a post on X.
Flotilla organizers say they aim to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid; Aid organizations say this aid, which includes a guarantee to increase aid, is still insufficient, despite the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas since October 2025.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Emily Rose, Editing by Rod Nickel)
