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    • Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre supports Israel's attacks – Israel News
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    Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre supports Israel's attacks – Israel News

    Kathleen William Posted on

    Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the official opposition, and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly held a heated exchange over Canada's stance on the Middle East.

    Poilievre, known for his harsh criticism of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government, accused Joly of “caving in to Hamas sympathizers in the Liberal Party as part of her leadership campaign rather than doing her job.” He criticized her for focusing on replacing Trudeau instead of fulfilling her duties as foreign minister.

    Joly responded by demanding an apology, calling his comments “totally unacceptable” and accusing him of politicizing the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. “He emphasized division rather than unity,” Joly said, adding that Poilievre was “not ready to be prime minister.”

    Poilievre, who has been a vocal advocate for conservative politics and international security, criticized Joly for failing to condemn anti-Semitic chants at pro-Palestinian protests. He asked: “Will the government unequivocally condemn these genocidal chants by hateful mobs on our streets?”

    He recounted how Jewish Canadians were doubly victimized by the Oct. 7 attack and by anti-Semitic slogans like “From Palestine to Lebanon, Israel will soon be gone” during protests.

    Demonstrators protest before the screening of the film “Bibi Files” at the Toronto Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, September 9, 2024 (Credit: DORON HOROWITZ/FLASH90)

    Joly said she rejects anti-Semitism in any form, but reiterated her call for an apology. She also read a statement listing the names of the Canadian victims of the attack and vowed to stand with Jewish Canadians.

    When Poilievre repeated his call for the government to condemn anti-Semitic chants, Justice Minister Arif Virani responded by calling on Canadians to “stand up” against hate, particularly in support of Jewish communities. Poilievre was dissatisfied and accused Joly of pandering to Hamas supporters and called on her to publicly support Israel's right to attack Iranian and Hezbollah targets.

    He specifically advocated for Israel's right to defend itself, including “proactive attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and oil facilities to defund the terrorist regime.” This came after the Iranian missile attack on Israel last week.

    Federal government distances itself from Poilievre

    The federal government takes a different stance. Defense Minister Bill Blair said that while Israel has the right to defend itself, the Canadian government does not support attacks on Iranian oil or nuclear sites.

    Blair clarified that only missile launch sites and military facilities should be attacked in self-defense, departing from Poilievre's position and US President Joe Biden's warning to Israel against attacks on Iranian oil facilities. Biden recommended Israel consider alternatives and discouraged escalation over Iran's oil and nuclear infrastructure.

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    This debate follows Iran's firing of 181 ballistic missiles into Israel last week in retaliation for Israel's targeted killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Both groups are supported by Iran.

    Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated since the October 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostage, 100 of whom are still being held captive. Since the attack, the war in Gaza has continued, except for a brief ceasefire in November.



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    Kathleen William
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