Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling Israel's treatment of people aboard an intercepted flotilla "abominable" and "unacceptable," and says 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.
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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 showed Ben-Gvir walking among kneeling activists who had their hands tied behind their backs, and telling them they should be imprisoned for a long time.
Anand said Canada has already sanctioned Ben-Gvir for his repeated incitement of violence and that he is banned from travelling to Canada.
Anand also said she has 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 Wednesday.
NDP MP Jenny Kwan had called on Tuesday for Ottawa to press for immediate consular access and protection for the Canadians involved in the flotilla.
Turkey, Greece and Italy have also condemned the treatment of the activists.
Ben-Gvir has drawn rebuke 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.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2026.
— With files from The Associated Press
