Canada to Call In Israeli Ambassador Over Gaza Flotilla Abuse

(MENAFN) Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced Wednesday that Canada would summon the Israeli ambassador, issuing a sharp condemnation of Israeli officials' treatment of detained activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.

Anand's rebuke came directly in response to a social media video posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which depicted dozens of detained activists kneeling on the ground, hands bound behind their backs, heads forced to the floor — while being taunted by those overseeing them.

"This is a matter we take very, very seriously. It's a matter of humane treatment of civilians, and I can assure you that we are acting with absolute urgency," Anand said, branding the conduct "deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable."

Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla stated on their official website that every vessel in their humanitarian convoy was intercepted after Israeli naval forces encircled them in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles — roughly 463 kilometers — off the Gaza coast. They alleged that 428 activists were seized by Israel.

Among those detained were 12 Canadian humanitarian volunteers, according to Canadian media reports. The flotilla had been transporting humanitarian aid supplies bound for the Gaza Strip at the time of interception.

Several detained Canadians subsequently launched a hunger strike during their detention in a bid to draw global attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza's civilian population, the reports added.

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