Saturday, April 12, 2025

Netanyahu slams Canada PM over comment on Gaza genocide, arms embargo

BIBI ELECTION INTERFERENCE

April 11, 2025 
MEMO


Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gestures as he speaks during a campaign rally in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on April 10, 2025 [Mert Alper Dervış/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday criticised Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, over comments made during a recent rally, accusing him of lending credibility to claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

“Instead of standing with Israel — a democracy fighting a just war against the Hamas barbarians — [Carney] chooses to attack the world’s only Jewish state,” Netanyahu posted on X, calling on Carney to “backtrack [his] irresponsible statement!”

The post came in response to footage from a Tuesday rally in Calgary, where a protester shouted, “Mr Carney, there is a genocide happening in Palestine.” Carney replied, “Thank you… I’m aware. Which is why we have an arms embargo.”

Carney later explained that due to the noise at the rally, held ahead of Canada’s 28 April election, he only caught part of what the protester shouted. “You hear snippets of what people say and I heard Gaza,” he said. “My point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”

In March 2024, Ottawa announced it would halt all future arms exports to Israel. The decision was part of a broader parliamentary motion calling on the international community to advance a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, consistent with Canada’s long-standing policy. Previously, in September 2023, Canada had already suspended around 30 arms export permits to Israel.

Carney, formerly the governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, became leader of the Liberal Party and was sworn in as prime minister in March 2024. He succeeded Justin Trudeau, who had served since 2015.

Majority of Canadians support continued arms ban on Israel, arrest warrant for Netanyahu: Poll

MEMO
March 26, 2025


Members of the Palestinian diaspora, students and local supporters of the Palestinian cause gather during the ‘Rage For Gaza!’ emergency demonstration outside the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, Canada, on March 19, 2025. [Artur Widak – Anadolu Agency]

More than half of Canadians support maintaining a ban on weapons sales to Israel, with nearly half backing its expansion to include a full two-way weapons embargo, according to a recent poll, Anadolu Agency reports.

The Mainstreet Research survey, commissioned by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), found that 55% of respondents support Canada’s prohibition of weapons exports to Israel due to the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, 49% believe Canada should go further by restricting the sale of weapons parts, military services and training to Israel.

The poll revealed strong public support for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

More than 56% said Canada should uphold the ICC’s decision, which could theoretically lead to Netanyahu’s arrest if he enters the country.

Among Liberal Party voters, support for recognizing the ICC warrant is particularly high, with 70% in favor. Conservative voters are evenly split on the issue, with half either supporting Netanyahu’s arrest or are unsure.

The survey was conducted on a sample of 1,090 Canadians between March 22 and March 23, with a margin of error of +/- 3% at a 95% confidence level.

Canada announced a complete ban on all arms shipments to Israel in March 2024. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the decision followed a parliamentary motion that passed with a significant majority.

In September, Canada announced it was suspending 30 permits for arms sales to Israel and canceled a contract with a US company to sell Quebec-made ammunition to the Israeli army.


No comments: