Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sharply criticized Israel during a phone conversation Monday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog over Israel’s interception of a pro-Gaza flotilla last week, intensifying growing diplomatic friction between Ottawa and Israel.
According to AFP, Carney condemned Israel’s handling of activists aboard the vessel and accused Israeli authorities of mistreating those involved in the maritime confrontation.
An official statement released by the Canadian government said Carney denounced what he called the “appalling treatment” of activists on the ship and described the actions taken by Israeli forces as “unacceptable.”
The discussion came amid mounting international backlash over National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s filmed confrontation with participants aboard the anti-Israel flotilla headed toward Gaza. Among those aboard were 12 Canadian citizens.
During the call with Herzog, Carney pushed for an independent probe into the naval operation and also “strongly condemned” comments made by Ben Gvir, according to the government statement.
The diplomatic dispute marks the latest step in Canada’s increasingly confrontational response to the incident. Ottawa announced last week that it would summon Israel’s ambassador to formally seek answers regarding the treatment of Canadian nationals involved in the flotilla.
The controversy has also spread into Europe. France has barred Ben Gvir from entering the country, while French officials are reportedly working alongside Italy and Spain to encourage the European Union to impose sanctions on the Israeli minister.
Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau as both Liberal Party leader and Canadian prime minister, has previously drawn criticism for remarks viewed as hostile toward Israel.
During a campaign appearance in Calgary last year, Carney responded after a protester shouted, “Mr. Carney, there is a genocide happening in Palestine,” pausing to reply, “Thank you…I’m aware. Which is why we have an arms embargo.”
Afterward, Carney attempted to clarify the exchange, telling reporters he had not actually heard the word “genocide” and had instead been referring generally to Canada’s existing restrictions on arms exports.
“I didn’t hear that word,” Carney said. “It’s noisy. If you’re up there you hear snippets of what people say and I heard Gaza, and my point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forcefully responded at the time, criticizing Carney’s rhetoric and defending Israel’s war effort.
“Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney. But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state. Mr. Carney, backtrack your irresponsible statement!”
Last summer, Carney also announced plans for Canada to recognize a Palestinian state, a move that sparked concern among several Jewish and multicultural organizations.
B’nai Brith Canada and a coalition of community leaders later sent Carney a letter warning against the decision. The letter stated that such recognition “could embarrass Canada, compound the crisis in the Middle East, and further push Israelis and Palestinians away from establishing a two-state solution.”
{Matzav.com}