Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has delivered a sharp rebuke to Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a long-distance conversation between the two.

Carney "reiterated that the appalling treatment of civilians, including Canadian citizens aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla was unacceptable, and he called for an independent investigation," the prime minister’s office said in a press release on Monday.

Carney also "strongly condemned" the comments of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who taunted the handcuffed and blindfolded activists and said "this is how we welcome terrorists."

Aid access and settlement freeze

The prime minister also told Herzog that Canada’s "unwavering support" of a two-state solution with the creation of the state of Palestine "living side by side" with Israel had not changed.

But Carney expressed Canada’s support for Israel’s “security”.

In a wide-ranging talk, the two leaders also spoke of the need for de-escalation of turmoil in the Middle East and stability in critical maritime corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz and allowing unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Carney reiterated Canada’s position that the Israeli settlement expansion was illegal and called for an end to settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Regarding Lebanon, the pair welcomed efforts to "advance dialogue."