Canada has formally accused Israel of violating international law by mistreating Canadian citizens detained while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Anita Anand, highlighted that denying detainees access to consular services breaches the Vienna Convention and demanded it never happen again.
The incident involved 12 Canadians among more than 400 activists who tried to breach the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza aboard 41 boats. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla, detaining participants amid ongoing stringent restrictions on Gaza. Canada has provided Israeli authorities with evidence of alleged mistreatment and called for an independent investigation holding those responsible accountable.
In parallel diplomatic exchanges, Anand spoke with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, raising concerns over the treatment of Canadian detainees. Sa’ar defended Israel’s interception as legal under international law and described the flotilla activists as extremists aligned with Hamas, Israel’s designated enemy.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also engaged with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, condemning the harsh treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla and emphasizing respect for human dignity. Carney criticized inflammatory remarks by Israel’s Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose videos taunting detained activists provoked international backlash.
Ben-Gvir’s actions included waving an Israeli flag over restrained detainees and provocatively chanting national slogans at them, images that drew censure from multiple countries including Canada, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. In response, Global Affairs Canada summoned Israel’s ambassador Iddo Moed, demanding accountability for the abuse.
The Canadian government’s firm stance highlights growing tensions surrounding Israel’s enforcement of the Gaza blockade and the treatment of international activists challenging it. The calls for an independent probe underline Canada’s insistence on adherence to international treaties safeguarding consular rights and humane treatment of detainees.