2023-10-07 16:13:59
(Montreal) The Canadian political class unanimously condemned the surprise attack launched by Hamas against Israel which cost the lives of at least 200 Israeli citizens on Saturday.
Published at 12:13 p.m. Updated at 2:52 p.m.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly criticized “the terrorist attack currently being carried out against Israel.”
“This violence is completely unacceptable. We fully support Israel and its right to defend itself. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Civilians must be protected,” he wrote in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The leader of the opposition, the conservative Pierre Poilievre, also condemned “the invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists and the sadistic violence that they then exercised against innocent civilians.”
“Israel has the right to defend itself against these attacks and respond to the aggressors. Canadians are committed to standing in solidarity with all victims,” he said in a statement.
Yves-François Blanchet, the leader of the Bloc Québécois, strongly condemned the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel and its civilian population in a statement.
“We must indeed unequivocally denounce the violent and terrorist provocation of Hamas which, in addition to the hostages and victims of Israel, exposes Palestinian civilians in all regions to terrible reprisals. Let us also avoid local partisan politics on the back of dramas,” Mr. Blanchet wrote on X.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stressed that “civilians should never be targeted and all hostages must be released immediately. We fear what the coming days hold. Terrorism and violence solve nothing. »
Global Affairs Canada urged all Canadians in the affected areas to remain extremely cautious and stay sheltered until it is safe to leave the area.
The authorities recall that the capacity of the Government of Canada to provide consular services in the Gaza Strip is limited. “In the event of deportation, local authorities are not required to inform the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv or the Canadian representative office in Ramallah. Therefore, Canadian officials may not be able to provide you with consular assistance.”
Global Affairs indicated that 1,419 registered Canadians were present on Israeli soil and 492 others in the Palestinian Territories.
“So far, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths among these Canadians,” the agency wrote in an email, adding that all staff at the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv and the representative office to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah were safe and sound.
In the afternoon, Air Canada announced the temporary suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv, the Israeli capital, as of Sunday. She will monitor the situation carefully, adjusting to the situation whenever necessary. It has a policy in place allowing its customers to make voluntary changes to their itinerary, including refunded flight cancellation.
“We remain in contact with the Canadian government. Air Canada will resume flights to Tel Aviv as soon as the situation has stabilized,” a spokesperson said.
Israeli retaliation left at least 198 dead and 1,610 injured in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Minister of Health there.
1696707513
#Canadian #politicians #condemn #Hamas #offensive