Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he is concerned that Israel’s tactics in its war against Hamas could jeopardize its long-term security and diplomatic support.
In a year-end interview with CBC News’ chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, the prime minister suggested that some of Israel’s other allies share similar concerns.
“Voices from Israel’s most powerful friends, such as Canada, Australia, and especially the United States… raise concerns that the short-term actions Israel is taking are actually jeopardizing its long-term security and even assistance. “For the future of the Jewish state,” Trudeau told Barton.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a year-end interview with CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton that Israel’s actions in the war with Hamas “jeopardize its long-term security and even future support for the Jewish state.” “There is,” he said.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s comments resonate US President Joe Biden’s statement During last week’s fundraiser.
“Israel can depend on the United States for its security, but there is more to it than the United States at this point. Israel has the European Union, it has Europe, and most of the world is supporting Israel,” Biden said. he said. They would lose that support due to indiscriminate bombing. ”
The current air and ground war was launched in response to Hamas’s brutal attack on Israeli civilians on October 7th. The war has left nearly 20,000 Palestinians dead, some 1.9 million displaced and much of northern Gaza destroyed, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
Earlier this month, Canada voted in favor of a non-binding motion calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” at the United Nations General Assembly. This marked a change in voting patterns in Canada, which typically votes in favor of Israel at the United Nations.
Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada’s support for Israel remains unchanged despite the U.N. vote.
“We have changed the way we express our position, but the position itself has not changed,” he said. “We have always maintained that Israel has the right to defend itself according to international law. We have always sought the protection of civilians.”
Some critics of Canada’s vote at the United Nations — Including some Liberal Party members – Said the resolution should have called on Hamas to lay down its weapons. The resolution also does not explicitly call for excluding Hamas from participating in any future government in the Gaza Strip.
On the same day as the UN vote, Prime Minister Trudeau and the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand issued the following statement: Joint statement It called for a ceasefire. But the statement condemned the Oct. 7 attack, demanded the release of Israeli hostages and called on Hamas to lay down its weapons.
Prime Minister Trudeau told Burton that Canada still supports a two-state solution, but that Hamas, which is officially designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including Canada, should not be involved in such negotiations. Ta.
“Our position is that working towards a sustainable ceasefire requires the condition that Hamas lay down its arms and release all hostages.” [ending the use of] We understand that a human shield is necessary and that Hamas has no role in the future governance of Gaza,” the prime minister said.
Earlier this week, Hamas official Ghazi Hamad called the joint statement by Canada, Australia and New Zealand “welcome” news.
“We welcome and take these developments into account.” [a step] We are moving in the right direction,” he said in a video broadcast on the mobile messaging service Telegram.
Global Affairs Canada was asked to comment on the video and referred to CBC News: Statement on social media On Wednesday night, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly echoed Trudeau’s remarks.
“Hamas is a terrorist,” she said. “Our statement was clear: for the ceasefire to last, Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, and lay down its weapons. There is no future.”
‘Clear disagreement’ with Prime Minister Netanyahu
in recent press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken credit for sabotaging that peace process over the past three decades. “He is proud that he was able to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he said.
Trudeau said during a 40-minute meeting on the day of the U.N. vote, he and Netanyahu had “very clear differences of opinion” about a two-state solution.
“Canada shared with him our deep belief that a two-state solution is the only way forward, that Canada is unflinching, and has been for many years. We are free, safe and viable.” “We shared with him that we must have a free, secure and viable Palestinian state,” Trudeau said.
“This is a point where I very clearly disagree with Prime Minister Netanyahu. But we will continue to work towards a two-state solution in every dialogue.”
CBC News Special: A year-end interview with the Prime Minister will be broadcast on CBC Television on Monday, December 25 at 11:30 a.m. (12 p.m. in Newfoundland).
