Canada calls for an end to increasing violence amid suspicions of Israeli airstrike on Iran
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his call for de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East on April 19, in the wake of an airstrike in Iran suspected to be a retaliatory move by Israel.
“It is imperative to avoid further escalation in the region and focus on aiding the people in the area,” stated Mr. Trudeau during a press conference in Victoria.
Canada condemned Iran’s “highly irresponsible” missile and drone strike on Israel over the weekend, according to Mr. Trudeau.
The two nations have engaged in a longstanding proxy war, but Iran directly targeted Israel for the first time on April 13 in response to what it perceived as an Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria.
Earlier, the Liberals, in concert with the U.S., advised Israel against retaliatory actions, highlighting that Israeli officials claim to have intercepted 99 percent of the numerous weapons launched by Iran.
Western allies argued that any retaliation by Israel could potentially escalate the conflict beyond the current hotspots in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
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Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to retaliate against Iran, Mr. Trudeau’s government acknowledged reports suggesting Israel’s involvement in a drone attack on a key airbase in Iran, yet refrained from condemning Israel on April 19.
Instead, Mr. Trudeau emphasized the need for increased humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip, for Hamas—recognized as a terrorist organization by Ottawa—to disarm and release Israeli captives.
He reiterated Canada’s longstanding support for a two-state solution, envisioning “a peaceful, secure, democratic Israel living alongside a peaceful, secure, democratic Palestinian state.”
On April 19, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly co-signed a comprehensive statement reiterating these points and addressing attacks on ships off the coast of Yemen at a gathering in Italy attended by G7 foreign ministers, representing countries like the United States and France.
Conservative foreign-affairs critic Michael Chong proposed that cutting funding to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an arm of Iran’s military, would be the most effective way for Canada to promote peace in the region.
“The primary threat to peace in the region emanates from the Iranian regime,” stated Mr. Chong, citing Iran’s backing of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
The Conservatives have advocated for listing the IRGC as a terrorist entity in Canada, a move the Liberals are currently exploring.
