Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the final day of the Francophonie summit in Paris and called for peace in the Middle East. He expressed concern over the civilian death toll in the region, blaming Hamas, Hezbollah, and Israel for the violence. Trudeau did not outright condemn Israel for beginning a ground war after crossing the border into southern Lebanon. The war in the Middle East was a significant topic at the summit, especially since Lebanon is one of the organization’s member countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who accompanied Trudeau, was scheduled to meet with a Lebanese government minister to discuss the escalating violence in the region.
Violence in the Middle East has escalated in recent weeks, with conflicts involving Hamas, Israel, and Hezbollah. Approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed in an attack by Hamas in October 2023, leading to a year-long war with Hamas in Gaza and between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The death toll in Gaza has reached nearly 42,000 people. Israel and Hezbollah have been engaging in daily exchanges of fire across the Lebanon border, with Israel increasing airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in suburban Beirut. Iran, a supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah, launched ballistic missiles at Israel, which Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised as a successful operation.
Trudeau condemned the Iranian missile attacks but did not explicitly condemn Israel for moving troops into Lebanon. He emphasized the need for de-escalation and holding Iran accountable for supporting terrorist organizations in the region. Trudeau expressed support for Israel’s right to respond to attacks but stressed the importance of preventing further escalation and violence in the region. He advocated for a two-state solution for both Israel and a Palestinian state. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated that Canadians have been evacuated from Beirut to Istanbul, with additional flights planned for those affected by the violence in Lebanon.
Canada has been assisting its citizens in Lebanon amidst the escalating violence in the region. Thousands of Canadians were in Lebanon when the conflict began, prompting the Canadian government to charter flights to evacuate them to safety. Trudeau acknowledged the risks involved in evacuating people from Lebanon, citing the tragedy of two Canadians who were killed while attempting to flee the violence. He emphasized the importance of offering opportunities for people to leave the conflict zone safely and ensuring critical infrastructure, such as the port and airport in Beirut, is not targeted. The Canadian government is continuing its efforts to provide assistance to Canadians affected by the violence in the Middle East.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Trudeau’s call for peace in the Middle East reflects Canada’s commitment to diplomatic solutions to conflicts in the region. The Canadian government has been actively involved in evacuating Canadians from Lebanon and providing support to those affected by the violence. Trudeau’s condemnation of terrorist organizations and support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine demonstrates Canada’s stance on achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. As the situation continues to evolve, Canada will remain engaged in efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote dialogue among all parties involved in the conflict.
