Canada escalates against Ben Gvir and summons the Israeli ambassador after the detention of “Freedom Flotilla” activists

Ottawa —
The Canadian government has escalated its tone towards Israel after intercepting the “Global Steadfastness Fleet” heading to Gaza, and detaining a number of activists, including Canadians, in an incident that sparked a wave of widespread international criticism.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada clearly condemns what he described as the “atrocious” treatment of civilians who were on board the fleet, affirming that the scenes documenting the detention of handcuffed activists lying on the ground are unacceptable.

Carney’s statements came after video clips were circulated showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaking in front of detained and handcuffed activists, which sparked criticism from several governments and human rights organizations.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed that she had directed the summoning of the Israeli ambassador to Ottawa to protest the way civilians on board the fleet were treated.

Anand said that what appeared in the video clips was “very disturbing and unacceptable,” stressing the necessity of respecting the dignity and safety of civilians under all circumstances.

She also clarified that Canada had already imposed sanctions on Ben-Gvir due to what it considers repeated incitement to violence, including asset freezes and travel bans to Canada.

According to the fleet organizers, Israeli forces intercepted ships carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and detained a number of participants, including Canadian citizens.

Israel says the interception of the fleet was part of preventing a breach of the naval blockade on Gaza, while the organizers see the operation as targeting a civilian and humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing attention to the humanitarian situation in the Strip.

The Canadian move comes amid increasing tension between Ottawa and Tel Aviv, with rising international criticism of Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, the humanitarian aid file, and the treatment of foreign activists.

It appears that summoning the Israeli ambassador and confirming sanctions on Ben-Gvir reflect a shift in the Canadian stance from verbal condemnation to clearer diplomatic measures, at a time when Ottawa demands guarantees for the safety of detained Canadians and information about their legal and humanitarian conditions.