Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned Israel's treatment of activists detained after attempting to reach Gaza by flotilla as "appalling" and unacceptable. He demanded an independent investigation into alleged mistreatment and abuse, including that of Canadian citizens, during their detention [1, 2, 3, 4].
Carney spoke by phone on May 25 with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, pressing for accountability over the treatment of detained activists [1, 2, 3, 4]. On the same day, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand protested to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar about the mistreatment of Canadians and the denial of consular access, which Anand said violates the Vienna Convention and "must never happen again" [1, 4].
Released activists reported physical abuse, injuries, and at least 15 alleged cases of sexual assault, including rape, while in Israeli detention. Israel's prison service denied these allegations [1, 4]. The Canadian government said it will provide evidence of mistreatment of Canadians to Israeli authorities [1, 4].
The Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, sparked international outrage by mocking the detained activists in a video, saying, "This is how we welcome terrorists" [2, 3]. France responded by banning Ben-Gvir from entering its territory due to his actions against flotilla passengers [2].
Canada reaffirmed its opposition to illegal Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence in the occupied West Bank [1, 2, 3, 4]. At the same time, it expressed support for Israel's security and right to self-defense, while calling for de-escalation and humanitarian access to Gaza and maintaining support for a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side [3].
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the activists of being inspired by Hamas and highlighted a rising antisemitic wave in Canada, averaging 19 incidents daily, urging the Canadian government to act against antisemitic incitement and attacks [1, 4].
Diplomatic relations between Canada and Israel are reported to be at historically low levels amid the dispute over the flotilla incident and related issues [1, 4].
