OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney called Israel’s treatment of people aboard an intercepted flotilla “abominable” and “unacceptable,” on Wednesday, adding Ottawa is seeking assurances about the safety of Canadians involved.
The prime minister made the comments on social media Wednesday, after Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told reporters she directed officials to summon Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed over the “mistreatment of civilians” aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla.
Activists say 12 Canadians were among those detained when Israel’s navy intercepted hundreds of people on 41 boats involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Cyprus on Monday.
Anand said video shared by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is “deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable.”
“This is a matter we take very, very seriously,” Anand told reporters on a virtual conference call from Estonia.
“It’s a matter of humane treatment of civilians and I can assure you that we are acting with absolute urgency on this very serious matter.”
The videos show some of the detained activists kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs and their faces to the floor.
Ben-Gvir says in the videos they should be imprisoned for a long time, and at one point waves an Israeli flag and says, “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords.”
Masked police can also be seen pushing an activist to the ground for yelling, “Free Palestine!”
Canada joined France, Italy and the Netherlands in summoning Israel’s ambassadors over the incident. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni demanded an apology from Israel.
The UK’s Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper posted on social media she is “truly appalled” by Ben-Gvir “taunting” detained activists and demanded an explanation from Israel.
“This violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated,” Cooper said.
Turkey and Greece have also condemned the treatment of the activists.
Anand said Canada has already sanctioned Ben-Gvir for his repeated incitement of violence and that he is banned from travelling to Canada.
Anand said as of Wednesday morning, she had not received a response to the summons from the Israeli embassy.
The Israeli embassy in Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Tuesday, NDP MP Jenny Kwan called on Ottawa to press for immediate consular access and protection for the Canadians involved in the flotilla.
Lynda Khelil of the group Global Sumud Canada said her organization has received no information about the situation of the 12 Canadians onboard the flotilla.
Khelil said in an email that hundreds of activists are being “subjected to violent and degrading abuse” by Israel after being “illegally abducted at sea.”
“This is how far Israel is willing to go to keep Gaza sealed off from the world,” Khelil said.
Ben-Gvir has even drawn rebuke internally, from both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Netanyahu said while Israel has every right to stop “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters,” the way that Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
Sa’ar replied to a video post by Ben-Gvir on X accusing him of knowingly causing harm to the state in a “disgraceful display.”
“You have undone tremendous, professional and successful efforts made by so many people — from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry staff and many others,” Sa’ar said.
“No, you are not the face of Israel.”
On Tuesday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry Office had branded the flotilla as a “PR stunt at the service of Hamas.”
The U.S. Treasury has meantime imposed sanctions against a number of European activists who were aboard.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2026.
— With files from The Associated Press
Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press
