Canada’s Mark Carney calls treatment of Gaza flotilla activists ‘appalling’

The Liberal prime minister called for an independent investigation into Israeli mistreatment, but stopped short of penalties.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed indignation at the Israeli government’s “appalling” treatment of participants in a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza.But in a news release on Monday, he declined to announce any new forms of pressure on Israel’s government.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3France bans Ben-Gvir: Which other Israeli leaders have been penalised?list 2 of 3Several nations summon Israeli envoys as Ben-Gvir taunts flotilla activistslist 3 of 3Gaza flotilla activists allege abuse, sexual assault in Israeli detentionend of listThe statement contained a read-out of a phone call between Carney and Israeli President Isaac Herzog earlier in the day. During their talk, Carney demanded an independent investigation into the mistreatment of the activists, who were bound, taunted and forced to kneel on the ground in a video shared last week by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir.“The Prime Minister reiterated that the appalling treatment of civilians, including Canadian citizens, aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla was unacceptable,” the statement said.Carney also used the phone call to reaffirm that Canada opposes the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as well as the rampant violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinians.The video shared by Ben-Gvir has sparked global backlash, with several countries issuing formal statements of condemnation.A handful took further action. On Saturday, for instance, France banned Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, citing his “unspeakable actions towards French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla”.Poland has likewise pursued a five-year ban against Ben-Gvir. Leaders in France and Italy have also called on the European Union to sanction the Israeli minister.But Israel has rarely faced serious pressure or consequences beyond rhetoric, despite widespread reports about Israeli settlers and military members attacking and killing Palestinians and pro-Palestinian advocates.