The Canadian opposition and Jewish organizations are slamming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for ignoring Hamas’ leadership in the deadly Gaza violence. Former PM Stephen Harper was a staunch supporter of the Jewish state.

By: Ben Cohen, The Algemeiner

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encountered strong criticism on Thursday over his earlier statement condemning the violence on the Israel-Gaza Strip border that excluded any mention of Hamas’ role in stoking Palestinian attacks.

Trudeau spoke out on Wednesday after learning that a Canadian citizen had been shot and wounded during the two days of clashes that resulted in the deaths of 62 Palestinians — 50 of whom, according to a senior Hamas spokesman, were Hamas operatives. Declaring that Canada was “appalled that Dr. Tarek Loubani, a Canadian citizen, is among the wounded,” Trudeau said that his government was “engaging with Israeli officials to get to the bottom of these events.”

But after deploring “the violence in the Gaza Strip that has led to a tragic loss of life and injured countless people,” Trudeau appeared to single out Israel for opprobrium.

“Reported use of excessive force and live ammunition is inexcusable,” the prime minister’s statement continued. “It is imperative we establish the facts of what is happening in Gaza. Canada calls for an immediate independent investigation to thoroughly examine the facts on the ground — including any incitement, violence, and the excessive use of force.”

While Trudeau did not elaborate on who might carry out such an investigation, similar inquiries in the past have been launched by the UN — and have focused almost exclusively on flimsy allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the IDF, while minimizing or disregarding the role of Hamas. The most recent example — the report on the 2014 Gaza war compiled by the UN Human Rights Council — accused the IDF of having “disregarded basic principles on the conduct of hostilities” and asserted that “the protection of Israeli soldiers significantly influenced the conduct of the Israel Defense Forces in these operations, at times overriding any concern for minimizing civilian casualties.”

‘Trudeau has failed Canadians’ on world stage’

Trudeau’s comments were lambasted by Andrew Scheer, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party. “In condemning the Israeli forces, Justin Trudeau ignores the role that the terrorist organization Hamas has played in inciting these clashes,” Scheer said in a statement. “In responding to these events with nothing but criticism of Israel, Justin Trudeau has failed Canadians on the international stage once again.”

Jewish groups also expressed profound disappointment. Shimon Koffler Fogel — CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) — said Trudeau’s stance “contradicts the government’s long-stated position that, as a close ally and fellow liberal democracy, Israel can count on Canada’s support when its security is threatened.”

Avi Benlolo — CEO of the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center — said that “Canada should steadfastly condemn Hamas for inciting violence and for attempting to enter a sovereign nation to carry out terrorism…It’s disappointing that our prime minister did not condemn Hamas in his statement.”

In an article for the Toronto Sun, Michael Mostyn of B’nai Brith Canada stated that it was “utterly inexcusable, to use Trudeau’s own word, for him to pretend Hamas had nothing to do with the riots when its leaders proudly admit the opposite.”

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Just two months after Trump announced that the US will transfer its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the Canadian Conservative opposition party said it would do the same.

By: Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

At a recently concluded conference in Ottawa, the Canadian capital, two major Conservative Party officials waded into the issue that has roiled Palestinian relations with the US: President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and his decision to move the American embassy there, The Canadian Jewish News (CJN) reported.

“I can’t even understand why this is a debate,” said Alberta United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney, according to the CJN. “Not only is Jerusalem obviously and objectively the capital of the State of Israel since its creation, but it is the ancient capital of the Jewish people.”

Conservative Member of Parliament Erin O’Toole, slightly more circumspect, noted that recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital should not negate support for a two-state solution, the CJN said. However, she did add, “Some countries have consular presence in east and west Jerusalem, so I think that’s where Canada needs to go, and the whole question of the embassy is something we should watch and see how the Americans proceed.”

The current Canadian government is led by Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau. On the issue of the embassy move, Ottawa’s reaction was quietly nonsupportive, although in early December, Canada – along with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Nauru – joined the US and Israel in voting against the United Nations General Assembly resolution to disavow Israel’s ties to Jerusalem.

The government then elected to abstain on the UN condemnation of Trump’s move later that month.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer told the CJN that he’s proud to lead a party that has always stood with Israel and recognized it as one of Canada’s strongest allies. Indeed, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper had been a staunch ally of the Jewish state. In January 2014, he addressed the Knesset, saying, “through fire and water, Canada will stand with you.”

Scheer said that he would “absolutely want to work with the government of Israel on the best way to move forward” on the embassy move. “In the meantime, there are steps that we can take. Many of our allies have a consular presence in Jerusalem. Canada does not. That is something we can progress as we move forward.”

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As Israel waits to see what the Canadian election means for its relations with the country, it must say good-bye to staunch Israel supporter, Stephen Harper.

By: Lauren Calin, World Israel News

New Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Alex Guibord/Flickr)

Israel must bid farewell to Canada’s outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper, one of the country’s most constant allies in the international arena. The new premier, Justin Trudeau, is unlikely to substantively change Canadian policy vis-a-vis Israel, though he is close to some harsh critics of Israel.

The elections were unusually contentious for Canadian Jewry. Although Canadian Jews have traditionally supported the Liberal Party, Harper’s staunch support of Israel brought many of them into the Conservative Party’s fold. Harper was openly skeptical of the Iran nuclear deal, questioning whether Iran would actually adhere to the terms of the agreement. In contrast to US leaders, he has remained mum on the settlement issue.

At the same time, Canadians are disappointed by the Conservatives’ failure to bring about economic improvement.

The Liberal Party’s Trudeau is also friendly towards Israel, though perhaps not to the same extent as his predecessor. He has openly stated that the BDS Movement is a form of anti-Semitism, and rejects unilateral moves by the Palestinian Authority. His support for the Iran nuclear deal is tempered by the recognition that Iran must be closely monitored.

Trudeau’s circle includes both friends and enemies of Israel. His brother, Alexandre, who advised his political campaigns, previously worked as a journalist in Gaza. His foreign policy team includes Ambassador Michael Bell, who has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for opposing the Iran nuclear deal. However, Trudeau is specifically being advised on Israel by Canada’s former justice minister and pro-Israel activist Irwin Cotler.

The Liberal Party received 39.5% of the popular vote; the Conservative Party, 31.9%; and the NDP, 19.7%.

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