An Israeli naval vessel, right, is motored toward the Israeli port of Ashdod, about 40 kilometres south of Tel Aviv, on Thursday after Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound flotilla.NIR KAFRI/AFP/Getty Images
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she summoned Israel’s ambassador over the Middle East country’s treatment of a flotilla of activists, including Canadians, bound for Gaza.
The aid flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Tuesday and later taken to an Israeli port.
“The protection of civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld at all times,” Ms. Anand told reporters Wednesday on a teleconference call during a visit to Estonia.
After police detained the activists, whom organizers said numbered 430, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media showing officers forcing a detained activist to the ground after she chants, “Free, free Palestine.”
Canadians on Gaza flotilla say they saw beatings as Israel intercepted 48 boats
Ms. Anand said from what she’s seen in the video, Israel’s handling of the activists was “deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable.”
Later on social media, Prime Minister Mark Carney called the treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla “abominable.”
Mr. Carney said Ms. Anand will “demand assurances” from Israeli’s ambassador “regarding the safety and security of Canadians involved.”
Both politicians noted that Canada has already imposed sanctions on Mr. Ben-Gvir, including asset freezes and a travel ban.
Israeli police on Wednesday forced detained activists who were aboard the aid flotilla to kneel on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs.
The Israeli minister appears to have taunted them.
“They came as big heroes,” Mr. Ben-Gvir said in the video as he walked by the activists while carrying a large Israeli flag. “Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything.”
The flotilla, having set sail from southern Turkey, was making a renewed attempt to deliver aid to war-shattered Gaza after Israel intercepted earlier missions in international waters.
Organizers said they aimed to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance, which aid groups have said is still in short supply despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in place since October, 2025. The ceasefire includes guarantees of increased aid.
Israel has said its naval blockade of Gaza is lawful.
Ms. Anand said her office is acting with urgency on this matter. “As soon as we were made aware of the horrible conduct against the members of the flotilla, which did include some Canadians, I instructed my officials to reach out to the Israeli ambassador, and this is a matter we take very, very seriously.”
With reports from Reuters