Israel violated Vienna Convention with its treatment of Canadian activists, Anand says

Open this photo in gallery: Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand addresses media at a NATO meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, on Friday. She spoke to her Israeli counterpart Monday. JOHAN NILSSON/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Israel’s mistreatment of Canadians participating in a flotilla trying to reach Gaza violated the Vienna Convention, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Monday. In a social media post, Anand said she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar about the issue on Monday morning. “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. “Canada is providing Israeli authorities with evidence of this mistreatment. We have asked for and expect an independent investigation and those responsible to be held to account.” Twelve Canadians were among 420 people on 41 boats intercepted by Israel on May 18 and 19 as they attempted to bring a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza in the midst of Israeli restrictions. Three activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla who were captured by Israeli forces arrived back in Vancouver on Sunday. They say they were tortured and abused, while the Israeli government has denied mistreating flotilla members. THE CANADIAN PRESS The activists were detained and Anand said last week she had heard from her officials in Turkey about “appalling abuse” suffered by those on board. In his own social media message posted several hours before Anand’s, Sa’ar referred to the flotilla participants as anti-Israel extremists at the service of Hamas. “Israel will continue to act in full accordance with international law and will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” he wrote. Related: Canada-Israel relations are the worst they have ever been, ambassador says Prime Minister Mark Carney also spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog Monday. A news release from the Prime Minister’s Office said Carney reiterated that the “appalling” treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla was unacceptable, and he called for an independent investigation. The release said he also condemned comments made by Israel’s Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and emphasized that the protection of all civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld. Last week, Ben-Gvir sparked global outrage after promoting a video of himself taunting activists from the flotilla who were detained by his police force. In one…