Prime Minister Carney has condemned Israel’s treatment of activists captured aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. The prime minister called the treatment of these activists who Israel is currently detaining as abominable and unacceptable.
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks up after footage of Israeli minister taunting activists
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a post on X, condemned the treatment of aid flotilla activists in Israeli detention. Israeli forces captured the activists in international waters on their mission aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza.
Prime Minister Carney’s post comes after Israeli national security minister Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself taunting the captured flotilla activists. The video shows him waving an Israeli flag, pointing and shouting at the activists. He captioned the post “Welcome to Israel.”
However, Ben Gvir’s post has sparked widespread condemnation across the international community. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also condemned Ben Gvir’s actions. He said they were not in line with Israel’s values.
Prime Minister Carney has said that the Canadian Foreign Affairs ministry has directed officials to summon the Israeli ambassador. They will demand assurances regarding the safety and security of Canadians involved.
“Canada has already imposed strict sanctions on Mr. Ben-Gvir, including asset freezes and a travel ban, in response to his repeated incitement of violence. The protection of civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld everywhere, at all times,” he posted.
Other political leaders have also condemned the actions of Ben-Gvir. The European Council President, Antonio Costa, said the Israeli minister’s behaviour was unacceptable and called for the immediate release of the activists.
Similarly, the United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said that Ben-Gvir betrayed dignity in his act of taunting the captured activists. His comments come after the US Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Global Sumud Flotilla organisers.
Israeli minister video raises concerns about maltreatment and torture
The video posted by Ben-Gvir and other footage raises concerns about the treatment of the detained flotilla activists. Footage shows the activists kneeling on the ground in rows with their hands tied behind their backs.
Activists who Israeli forces previously captured but now released accused the Israeli forces of maltreatment and torture. Allegedly, some soldiers had beaten some of the previously captured activists to the point of passing out.
Also, a human rights group, Adalah, which represents the captured activists, said they had been physically assaulted. The group said at least three people had been taken to the hospital.
There are reports that also indicate that some of the activists sustained injuries from the rubber bullets fired when Israeli forces intercepted the aid flotilla.