It would be nice to buttonhole Canada’s prime minister and tell him to smarten up and show proper solidarity with Jewish Canadians and Israel especially at this time. But I can’t, because on the day I’m writing, his schedule indicates he’ll be at Hanukkah on the Hill. Exactly as he should be.
I don’t write many columns praising Justin Trudeau’s conduct or understanding. On the contrary, our worldviews differ so dramatically, on everything from fiscal policy to foreign policy, that if I ever actually found myself conversing with him, I’d probably stick to small talk to avoid the unpleasant kind.
I have an uneasy suspicion he’d struggle to remember who I was, then have security escort me from the premises. Regardless, when I address him in my writing, it’s overwhelmingly to persuade third parties that Trudeau has things dangerously and fatuously wrong and they should under no circumstances think like him.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to convert him to common sense, except perhaps to persuade Greta Thunberg there is no man-made climate crisis. But most policy debates in open societies are conducted for the benefit of the audience rather than the principals and, within limits, it works.
The audience often does not benefit, partly because the principals become so frustrated with one another’s obtuseness or meanness that they fall to abusing one another in terms as predictable as they are unilluminating. So back to Hanukkah on the Hill.
The point is, we all know how Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the PA would achieve lasting peace. Erase Israel from the map. They make no secret of it, even if Joly can’t process it. Instead “Minister Joly chaired a discussion on the latest developments in the conflict, during which the foreign ministers discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Minister Joly emphasized Canada’s position that the violence must end and that much more humanitarian assistance be allowed into Gaza.”
No. The violence must not end. Not until Hamas is destroyed. And while I deplore civilian casualties as much as Israelis do, it is those terrorists’ long-standing policy of using Gazans as human shields that is deliberately causing the humanitarian crisis. If Hamas disarmed, there’d be peace. If Israel did, there’d be genocide. Can’t somebody say so?
Wow. And particularly in these polarized and dumbed-down times, credit must be given where due.
Especially as he then “underscored that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people nor their legitimate aspirations. He also reiterated his call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages and stressed the need to ensure the safe exit of foreign nationals from Gaza. Prime Minister Trudeau expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and emphasized the need to protect civilians.”
So did he give with the right brain cell and take back with the left? No. Instead, in one of those pointed “diplomatic formulations,” we’re told: “Participants at the meeting exchanged views on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the need for access to urgent, life-saving humanitarian aid.” “Exchanged views” means the pro-Hamas side urged a ceasefire and Trudeau didn’t. So not “Canada’s position,” Ms. Joly.
Finally, the PM “reaffirmed the importance of renewing efforts toward a two-state solution to secure lasting peace in the region.” Which everybody knows Hamas rejects.
If I’d been asked to draft a press release on this meeting for Trudeau, I wouldn’t have bothered putting this one before him, assuming it would just annoy him. But somebody did anyway, and he signed off on it, then attended a Hanukkah event.
Well done, sir. Keep it up.
