Canada summons Israeli ambassador after diplomats open fire on the West Bank – Country
Canada said on Wednesday that it opened fire near the IDF diplomatic delegation in the West Bank, including four Canadians.
IDF said no one was injured in the incident.
“Make our team feel safe,” Foreign Minister Anita Anand said in an article on X.
“I have asked my officials to call the Israeli ambassador to convey serious concerns in Canada. We hope for a comprehensive investigation and accountability.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the incident was “completely unacceptable”.
“Among many things are happening in the region, it's totally unacceptable,” he told a reporter from Quebec Chelsea, after a cabinet planning forum.
An IDF spokesman said in a statement that the diplomatic team visited the city of Zhanning “deviated” its approved route and soldiers fired warning guns to keep them away from areas they were not allowed to visit.
The IDF said it investigated what happened and would talk to affected diplomats to update its findings.
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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on social media that the situation was unacceptable and that the Israeli ambassador to France had been called to explain it.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he also called on the Israeli ambassador to explain the incident in Italy.
In a joint statement issued earlier this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron threatened to impose “targeted sanctions” on Israel in response to its re-military offensive in Gaza and “totally inadequate” food aid allowed to enter the enclave.
The letter also stated that leaders opposed “any attempt” to expand Israel’s settlement in the West Bank.
Carney won't say on Wednesday what “specific action” Canada will take if Israel ignores the leader's demands, but any measures are recommended to take are part of a joint response with France and the UK.
“The intention of clear language, not only ourselves, but France, the United Kingdom and many other countries – Israel ensures that there is enough humanitarian assistance to provide enough humanitarian assistance to the population there, many of whom are on the verge of hunger,” he said.
Carney added that he notified U.S. vice president JD Vance at a meeting in Rome last weekend, but said it was a “one way conversation.”
The Trump administration directed U.S. policy to firmly support Israeli military goals against Hamas, while also pushing for a ceasefire and the return of all hostages on October 7, 2023, which inspired the current conflict.
In a social media post on Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Carney, Steamer and Macron of providing Hamas with a “massive prize” with their joint statement.
Hamas, listed as a terrorist entity in Canada, welcomed the letter in an online statement Tuesday, calling it a “important step in the right direction.”
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said on X this week that Hamas' statement suggests Canada must be the opposite of the current conflict approach.
“It is wrong to threaten Israel's sanctions and 'further concrete actions' while terrorist groups on the border kidnap their citizens hostages, refusing to stop attacking Israel,” he said.
On Tuesday, Britain imposed sanctions on the West Bank against the so-called three people, two “illegal settler posts” and two organizations “support violence against the Palestinian community.”
In the past, Canada has approved ratification of extreme settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The latest sanctions were announced last September.
– Documents with Canadian Press
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