Canada has demanded that Israel conduct an independent investigation into allegations of violence against activists, including Canadian citizens, who were detained during a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing Reuters, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, described the treatment of civilians as "outrageous" and "unacceptable." Carney also characterized the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" and reiterated Canada's strong opposition to Israel's settlement expansion, settler violence in the West Bank, and attacks on Palestinian civilians.
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand stated during a conversation with her Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar, that Ottawa is prepared to hand over evidence of the alleged mistreatment of Canadian nationals. Anand emphasized that denying consular access to the detained Canadian citizens constitutes a direct violation of the Vienna Convention.
While flotilla organizers claimed that released activists had been subjected to physical violence and some required hospitalization, the Israel Prison Service has firmly denied these allegations. The incident highlights growing diplomatic tensions between Canada and Israel over humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and the treatment of international aid workers and activists in the region.
