OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday told Israeli President Isaac Herzog that the treatment of activists by Israel had been “appalling” and described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic,” Carney’s office said in a statement.

“The Prime Minister reiterated that the appalling treatment of civilians, including Canadian citizens, aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla was unacceptable, and he called for an independent investigation,” the statement said.

Carney, it said, also reaffirmed Canada’s opposition to illegal Israeli settlement expansion, settler violence in the West Bank, and violence against Palestinian civilians.

Although Carney last week denounced Israel’s handling of the flotilla members, the broad scope of his condemnation on Monday underlines how strained ties have become between Israel and some of its closest allies.

The Israeli embassy in Ottawa was not immediately available for comment.

Activists released after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organizers said, with several hospitalized with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. Israel’s prison service denied the allegations.

Israel’s ambassador to Canada last week told a newspaper that bilateral government-to-government relations were the worst they had ever been.

Separately, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said she had spoken to her Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, on Monday and told him Ottawa would provide Israel evidence of the mistreatment of Canadians on the flotilla.

“I raised that denying Canadian citizens access to consular services while they were detained violates the Vienna Convention and must never happen again,” she said in a post on X.

For his part, Saar said he had told Anand the activists had been inspired by Hamas.

“I also highlighted the horrific antisemitic wave in Canada – an average of 19 incidents a day. The Canadian government must take steps against antisemitic incitement and attacks,” he said in a post on X.

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Gaza

Gaza is a densely populated Palestinian city on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It was an important trade hub for ancient civilizations, including the Philistines, Egyptians, and Romans, and later came under Islamic rule, Ottoman control, and British mandate. In modern times, it became a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its governance split and ongoing humanitarian challenges.

West Bank

The West Bank is a landlocked territory in the Middle East, located on the western bank of the Jordan River. It has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel captured it from Jordan. The region is home to significant historical and religious sites, including the city of Bethlehem and parts of Jerusalem, and its political status remains a central issue in peace negotiations.
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Gaza

Gaza is a densely populated Palestinian city located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with a history dating back thousands of years. It was a key trade hub for ancient civilizations, including the Philistines, Egyptians, and Romans, and later came under Islamic, Ottoman, and British rule. Since the mid-20th century, Gaza has been at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip experiencing repeated blockades and military confrontations.

West Bank

The West Bank is a landlocked territory in the Middle East, bordered by Israel and Jordan, with a complex history rooted in ancient times as part of the biblical regions of Judea and Samaria. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, it was annexed by Jordan until Israel captured it during the 1967 Six-Day War, leading to ongoing Israeli occupation and settlement expansion. Today, the West Bank remains a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its status and future deeply contested under international law and peace negotiations.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, is a city of profound religious significance, revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Its history stretches back millennia, with ancient roots in the Canaanite period and later mention in the Hebrew Bible as the hometown of King David. Today, it is a major pilgrimage destination, centered around the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the world’s oldest and most historically significant cities, sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its history spans over 3,000 years, marked by conquests, religious development, and political conflict, including being the site of the ancient Jewish Temples, Jesus’s crucifixion, and the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey. Today, it remains a deeply contested city at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while its Old City houses key religious landmarks like the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock.

Ottawa

Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, was originally settled as a small lumber town called Bytown in the 1820s after the construction of the Rideau Canal. It was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1857 as the nation’s capital, officially becoming the City of Ottawa in 1855. Today, it is known for its historic Parliament Hill, national museums, and vibrant cultural scene.

Vienna Convention

The Vienna Convention typically refers to a series of international treaties concluded in Vienna, most notably the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. This landmark agreement established the fundamental rules and procedures for creating, interpreting, and ending treaties between states, serving as a cornerstone of modern international law. It codified customary international law on treaties and was opened for signature on May 23, 1969, entering into force in 1980.

Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is a vast body of water connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia, serving as a cradle for ancient civilizations such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. Its history is marked by being a crucial trade route and the center of major empires, including the Roman and Ottoman Empires. Today, it remains a vital cultural and economic hub, known for its diverse coastal nations and rich historical heritage.

Jordan River

The Jordan River is a historically and religiously significant waterway in the Middle East, flowing through Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. It is most famous in Judeo-Christian tradition as the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and in the Hebrew Bible as the river the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land. Today, it remains a major pilgrimage destination, though its flow has been greatly reduced due to regional water use.