Carney Calls Treatment of Gaza Flotilla Activists “Appalling” in Herzog Call

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday and used the call to raise Canada’s concern over the treatment of civilians detained aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla.

The core claim is confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office. In its readout, Ottawa said Carney “reiterated that the appalling treatment of civilians, including Canadian citizens, aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla was unacceptable,” and called for an independent investigation.

The readout also says Carney strongly condemned comments by Israel’s Minister of Public Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and stressed that the protection of civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld “everywhere, at all times.”

What happened

The call followed international backlash over the detention of Gaza flotilla activists after Israeli forces intercepted boats attempting to reach Gaza with a symbolic amount of aid. CBC reported that 12 Canadians were among about 420 people on 41 boats intercepted by Israel last week.

Footage cited by CBC showed activists forced to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs, some with their heads touching the floor, in what appeared to be a detention area at Israel’s Port of Ashdod and on the deck of a ship.

Ben-Gvir shared a video taunting the detained activists and saying they should remain in prison for a “long, long time.” Canada, France, Italy and the Netherlands summoned Israeli ambassadors over the video and treatment of the detainees.

What Carney told Herzog

Carney’s message to Herzog was broader than the flotilla incident. Ottawa said he reaffirmed Canada’s support for a negotiated two-state solution, Israel’s security and right to self-defence under international law, and the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

He also raised Gaza directly. The official readout says Carney described the humanitarian situation as “catastrophic” and called for the restoration of immediate and unimpeded access to aid.

What is confirmed — and what is not

Confirmed: Carney spoke with Herzog on May 25; he called the treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla appalling and unacceptable; he called for an independent investigation; and he described Gaza’s humanitarian situation as catastrophic.

Also confirmed by CBC: Canadians were among the detained activists, and Canada raised concerns over alleged mistreatment and denial of consular access. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand separately said Canada was providing Israeli authorities with evidence of mistreatment.

Not fully settled: the complete sequence of events during detention, the full list of alleged abuses, and whether Israel will accept or conduct the kind of independent investigation Canada requested. Israel has defended its blockade and has described the flotilla as a provocation.

The clean read: the viral claim is accurate. The strongest source is not a social post or partisan account — it is Canada’s own official readout of Carney’s call with Herzog.

Why it matters

The language is unusually direct for a Canadian prime minister speaking to Israel’s president. Carney did not announce new sanctions or penalties, but he put Canada’s demand for an investigation into the formal diplomatic record.

The call also shows the balancing act in Canada’s position: support for Israel’s security, public opposition to illegal settlement expansion and settler violence, and sharper language on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and treatment of civilians.

What to watch next

The next signal is whether Israel responds to Canada’s investigation demand, whether more countries move beyond diplomatic protests, and whether Ottawa releases further evidence about the alleged mistreatment of Canadian citizens detained after the flotilla interception.