Israeli Ambassador ‘deeply disappointed’ in Canada’s UN vote

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OTTAWA – Israel’s ambassador to Canada said Tuesday that his country is “deeply disappointed” by Canada’s support for a cease-fire resolution at the United Nations.

Canada joined 152 other countries in the United Nations General Assembly to support a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution also called for the release of all hostages and humanitarian access to Gaza.

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Nine countries, including the United States, voted against the resolution, and 23 countries abstained. Ahead of the UN vote, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a joint statement with the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand, calling for a sustainable ceasefire.

Ambassador Id Moed said the UN resolution completely ignores the reality that Hamas is not seeking a peaceful solution and makes no mention of the horrific attack experienced by Israel on October 7. .

He said he was “very disappointed in Canada’s support for this resolution, which does not condemn the horrific acts of terrorism against Israelis by Hamas and does not address the root causes of the situation.”

Moed said Canada has been an ally of Israel at the United Nations and has helped add the necessary context to General Assembly resolutions, but it did not do so today.

“Part of the purpose of this resolution was to re-isolate Israel within the United Nations. Canada has worked in the past to prevent that from happening.”

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Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said on the same day that Canada believes the continuing violence in Gaza only makes long-term peace less likely. He said the government wanted to get back to work on a true two-state solution.

“Thousands of children are now orphaned. Countless Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip are suffering without water, food, fuel or medicine, and their homes have been reduced to rubble,” she said. “We must recognize that what is happening before our eyes only increases the cycle of violence.”

Moed said that while statements with Australia and New Zealand at least recognized Hamas as a terrorist organization, calls for a ceasefire were predicated on Israel having a peace partner, which Hamas never was.

“There is no point in calling for a ceasefire again, hoping for a ceasefire, or supporting a ceasefire unless it addresses the cause of Hamas.”

He said despite differences here, Canada-Israel relations remain strong and the government’s main concern is not speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.

“There is overwhelming support in Israel for the government’s efforts to carry out this military operation against Hamas. This is what is important to us,” he said.

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Moed wasn’t the only one to express disappointment with Canada’s vote. In addition to Jewish groups, Liberal MPs Anthony Housefather and Marco Mendicino also expressed disappointment with the government’s decision.

“I do not agree with Canada’s vote today at the United Nations. I do not support that country’s request for Israel to agree to a de facto unconditional ceasefire. At this point, it is a It only further jeopardizes the safety and security of the country,” Mendicino said on social media platform X.

Housefather said Hamas must surrender before progress toward lasting peace is possible.

“In my opinion, to cease hostilities, Hamas must release all its hostages, lay down its weapons and surrender. The terrorist organization Hamas bears full responsibility for starting the war. I do not agree with the vote at the United Nations.”

twitter: Ryan Tumilty
Email: rtumilty@postmedia.com

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