Canada’s political leaders have strongly condemned the recent surprise assault by the Hamas militant group in Israel, which has resulted in one of the deadliest attacks in the country in years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed Canada’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks against Israel on social media, emphasizing the unacceptability of such acts of violence. He reaffirmed Canada’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself and extended sympathy to all those affected by the violence, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilian lives.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also unequivocally condemned the invasion of Israel by Hamas and the violence perpetrated against innocent civilians. Poilievre emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself and pledged Canadian solidarity with the victims.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly echoed the condemnation of the multi-front terror attack by Hamas, emphasizing Canada’s firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself under international law. She expressed her heartfelt sympathy for the victims and those affected by the attacks.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh strongly condemned the horrifying attacks by Hamas on Israel and called for the immediate release of all hostages, emphasizing that civilians should never be targeted. He expressed concern about the escalating violence and suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians, calling for renewed efforts for peace.
Israel’s ambassador-designate to Canada, Iddo Moed, described the ongoing situation as a massacre, expressing shock at the scale of the violence and the number of casualties, including women, children, and the elderly. Moed called for the international community to prevent other regional players from joining the attack against Israel.
Canada officially designated Hamas as a terrorist entity in 2002, describing it as a radical Islamist-nationalist terrorist organization with origins in the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.
As the situation develops, Canadian authorities have taken steps to ensure the safety of Canadians in the region, updating travel advisories and providing support for those in need of emergency consular assistance.
The Canadian government encourages Canadians abroad to register with Global Affairs Canada and follow safety guidelines, including monitoring local media and heeding local authorities’ instructions. Emergency assistance is available through various channels, including phone, text message, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and email.
