Canadian Liberal leader Mark Carney is stepping back from comments made during a recent campaign rally in Calgary, where he appeared to affirm a crowd member’s allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, according to a report from CBC.
As Carney was preparing to address attendees at the event, someone from the audience shouted, “Mr. Carney, there’s a genocide in Palestine!” Though the speaker wasn’t shown on camera, the outburst was clearly audible.
Carney responded, “I’m aware. That’s why we have an arms embargo,” which prompted the crowd to erupt in chants of his name, effectively cutting off any further discussion at that moment.
Speaking to the press the next day, Carney attempted to clarify his response, explaining that he hadn’t heard the specific accusation involving the word “genocide” and had only meant to acknowledge the existing Canadian arms policy.
“I didn’t hear that word,” Carney said while campaigning in Calgary, according to CBC. “It’s noisy. If you’re up there you hear snippets of what people say and I heard Gaza, and my point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”
He elaborated further, saying, “Canada does … have restrictions, probably from January 2024, on arms exports, or permits for arms exports to Israel with the sole exception of the Iron Dome which protects them more broadly.”
Since being chosen last month to succeed former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberal Party, Carney has spoken out about conditions in Gaza. He criticized the decision to halt electricity to the territory, though he avoided naming Israel specifically in his remarks.
“It has been more than two days that the supply of electricity to Gaza has been shut off,” Carney said. “It must resume. Essentials including food, electricity and medical supplies should never be used as political tools.”
He also urged international cooperation to support legal and humanitarian principles in the region, saying, “Canada must work with our allies to stand up for international law to promote sustainable peace and security in the Middle East and to support full access to humanitarian aid for Palestinian families.”
Carney called on both sides to make progress, stating that efforts should focus on “the return of all hostages and the completion of the ceasefire agreement.”
During the initial stages of the Israel-Hamas war following the October 7, 2023 attack, then-Prime Minister Trudeau supported Israel’s right to defend itself and endorsed a joint international statement emphasizing both that right and the importance of civilian protection.
However, Trudeau later condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, saying the “killing of women, of children, of babies” had to stop.
Canadians will head to the polls for a federal election on April 28.
{Matzav.com}