QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs
Canada-Israel Relations
December 4, 2024
Senator Gold, Justin Trudeau and Mélanie Joly’s decision to vote in favour of yesterday’s United Nations motion condemning Israel is a disgraceful departure from our nation’s principal history of standing with our democratic ally against the relentless bias of the United Nations. This vote abandons Canada’s values, aligns us with the worst human rights abusers and legitimizes a corrupt UN system that has made a mockery of justice and fairness for decades.
Even worse is Ambassador Bob Rae’s laughable defence of this vote, claiming Canada is committed to a two-state solution while simultaneously participating in a sham process that only emboldens those who seek to delegitimize Israel. His words fail to mask the hypocrisy of supporting a motion that singles out the world’s only Jewish state while failing to even mention Hamas.
Senator Gold, are you comfortable with this vote and the message it sends to our ally Israel, the Jewish community in Canada and Canadians who value foreign policy?
Senator Housakos, thank you for your question. Canada’s votes at the UN, as you know, historically have always been a matter upon which considerable focus and attention have been placed by the Jewish community and the pro-Israel community in Canada, and understandably so.
Canada’s position with regard to the conflict in the Middle East has been consistent. It believes — and continues to believe — in the importance of two states for two peoples, as well as the right of Israel to live in peace and security with its neighbours and the right of the Palestinians to their own homeland.
As a friend and ally of Israel, this government has also — as other allies have as well — raised concerns about some of the actions that have been taken. The vote in the United Nations is consistent with Canada’s basic —
The only thing consistent with the Trudeau government in the last nine years, Senator Gold, is siding with a bunch of tyrants and dictators instead of our ally Israel. Canada once took pride in standing with Israel against this nonsense, and we called out the UN for what it is — a biased, broken institution where dictatorships preach about human rights.
Conservatives will always stand on the right side of history, as we did under Prime Minister Harper, and we will again under future prime minister Poilievre. Isn’t this yet another reason for an election, Senator Gold, so Canada can elect a government that has a moral compass and returns us back —
Senator Gold.
Again, Senator Housakos, I understand, as you know I do, the impact that every statement and every vote has. I am a member of the community. I understand it very well. However, it still remains the case that Canada remains a strong ally of Israel, and despite attempts to use Israel as a wedge issue, this government will continue to do so.
