Ottawa — Senior Foreign Affairs officials will call the Israeli ambassador on the carpet next week to chide him over his "inappropriate" comments about an alleged confession by a Canadian arrested in Israel.
The ambassador, Hiam Divon, has said that Jamal Akkal, a Canadian citizen of Palestinian extraction, confessed to being recruited by Hamas to attack Jewish and Israeli targets in Canada.
Foreign Affairs complained that he's pre-judged the case.
"Contacts are being made right now with the Israeli embassy to call the Israeli ambassador in as early as possible next week," said Reynald Doiron, a Foreign Affairs spokesman.
"We're going to tell him that the comments made by him and other people in his embassy are inappropriate.
"All officials in both governments have the duty and the obligation to be very, very discreet about a case which is under judicial review in an Israeli court. The determination of Mr. Akkal's guilt or innocence belongs to that court."
Jamil al-Qhateb, Mr. Akkal's lawyer, said his client admits he was approached by Hamas to carry out attacks in North America but said he never agreed to do so.
Hamas is outlawed under Canada's anti-terror laws and operates mainly in the Middle East.
Mr. Al-Qhateb said Mr. Akkal, 23, was interrogated round the clock for days.
Canadian officials who visited Mr. Akkal saw no visible signs of mistreatment, but he complained of long interrogations, Mr. Doiron said. Sleep deprivation is not in the same league as physical torture, but can constitute duress, he added.
Mr. Doiron said if Mr. Akkal's lawyer believes the alleged confession was obtained under duress, it's up to him to ask the court to suppress it.
A hearing was held Thursday in Israel for Mr. Akkal, who was taken into custody Nov. 1 in Rafah, in southern Gaza. The court agreed to extend the investigation and hold another hearing Dec. 15. No charges have been laid.
The Canadian officials asked for improved prison conditions for Mr. Akkal and are awaiting a response.
Mr. Akkal had been living with his older brother in Windsor, Ont. He came to Canada from Gaza five years ago and obtained Canadian citizenship.
His family insisted he had gone to Gaza to get married.
Islamic groups expressed skepticism about the idea of Hamas conducting attacks in Canada, but B'Nai Brith said the danger exists.
"We . . . question the complacent attitude of our government in terms of the security needs of the Jewish community," the organization said.
"This is of particular concern given the horrific terrorist attacks that have been carried out just recently in Turkey, Morocco, Kenya and Tunisia, and the increase in harassment, assault and vandalism related to the Middle East conflict that we have documented here in Canada."
