Israeli prime minister to continue Canada visit despite diplomatic crisis

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Israeli PM continues Canada trip

TORONTO — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing his visit to Canada despite a diplomatic crisis over the deadly storming of an aid flotilla.

Netanyahu was to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa and give a joint press conference Monday morning.

There have been calls in Israel for Netanyahu to return home to deal with the crisis.

Netanyahu spoke by telephone with top Israeli officials and expressed his “full backing” for the military, according to an army statement.

At least 10 pro-Palestinian activists were killed when Israeli commandos attacked ships taking humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip early Monday.

Netanyahu spokesman Mark Regev told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. the Israeli leader would continue his meetings Monday with Harper and with President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday.