Politicians from various Canadian political backgrounds convened at solidarity rallies on Monday, expressing their support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre participated in a rally endorsing Israel in Ottawa.
On Monday night, Trudeau expressed Canada’s strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas. He stated that Canada stands with Israel and reasserts its support for Israel’s right to self-defense, as outlined in international law.
Trudeau was deeply disturbed by the Hamas attacks, where individuals attending an open-air music event were shot, while others were forcibly taken and subjected to violence and mistreatment. Hamas claims to currently hold approximately 130 Israeli captives.
Trudeau expressed his shock and disbelief at these appalling actions. He called for the release of the hostages and emphasized the importance of treating them in accordance with international laws.
Similar to numerous other nations, Canada also witnessed rallies during the weekend in solidarity with the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. Certain participants distanced themselves from Hamas, whereas others declined to denounce the actions of Hamas.
On Monday, Trudeau delivered a speech during the rallies.
Trudeau stated that he wants to make it unequivocally clear that Hamas terrorists should not be regarded as a resistance or freedom fighters, but rather acknowledged as terrorists. He firmly believes that no one in Canada should endorse or commemorate them.
Featured VideoForeign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly expressed her support for Israel’s right to self-defense in accordance with international law. She emphasized the importance of releasing hostages and ensuring the protection of civilians. Minister Joly’s primary focus is safeguarding Canadians while also actively pursuing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Pierre Poilievre expressed his support for Israel and condemned Hamas during the event on Monday.
Poilievre expressed that the recent violent actions of this terrorist group have caused immense devastation within the past 72 hours. The disturbing aspect lies in their evident enjoyment and sadistic satisfaction while executing these acts.
“I condemn without reservation all individuals who took part in the repulsive celebrations witnessed on our streets. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, Muslims, or Canadians.”
Consular access
Poilievre also emphasized the significance of providing Canadians caught in the conflict with excellent consular assistance.
According to The Canadian Press, there was a dispute during the weekend regarding the availability of the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv for Canadians in the area. Some individuals claimed that they were redirected to hotlines or informed that the embassy was either closed or operating with limited hours due to the holiday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly stated in an interview with CBC’s Power & Politics that the embassy had been functioning during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
On Monday, a group of powerful Western nations, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France and Italy, released a statement expressing “steadfast and united support” for Israel and “unequivocal condemnation of Hamas.” The statement was organized under the banner of the “Quint” informal international grouping.
A Canadian official, who wishes to remain anonymous, mentioned that Canada was not requested to be a part of the statement. However, the official minimized the significance of Canada’s exclusion, highlighting that Canadian statements align with those of its global allies.
Source: cbc.ca
