The Canadian Prime Minister has expressed outrage at the treatment of humanitarians bound for Gaza, calling for an independent investigation. In a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Mark Carney demanded a probe into the mistreatment of activists, which included being bound, taunted, and forced to kneel on the ground.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed horror at the Israeli government’s treatment of participants in a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza, describing it as “appalling”. He announced an investigation in a news release on Monday, while ruling out any penalties on Israel’s government.
Carney reaffirmed Canada’s opposition to the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the rampant violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinians. He also called the video shared by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, which showed activists being bound and taunted, “unspeakable”.
The flotilla, which aimed to challenge Israeli abuses in Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli forces, which have blockaded Gaza’s access to the outside world. The Global Sumud Flotilla comprised 70 boats and 3,000 participants. Over 430 activists were detained when Israeli forces boarded their vessels, with over 15 reporting sexual assault, including rape.
Leaders worldwide have condemned Israel’s actions, with several countries issuing formal statements of condemnation. France banned Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, citing his “unspeakable actions towards French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla”. Poland has also imposed a five-year ban on Ben-Gvir.
The situation in Gaza is considered “catastrophic” by Carney. The humanitarian aid flotilla was part of an effort to confront Israeli abuses in Gaza, where Israel has led a genocidal war against Palestinians since October 2023, resulting in over 75,000 Palestinian deaths.
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