Canada’s joint statement with the UK and France on Israel has drawn praise from Hamas and scathing rebukes from Israeli and Jewish organizations, with the group describing the move as “a significant step in the right direction.”
Hamas lauded the call on Israel to “halt military action in Gaza and resume humanitarian aid” and urging Arab and Islamic states to take “decisive and concrete action” against “savage Zionist aggression.”
According to the movement, it was “an important step towards restoring the principles of international law,” noting that those principles have been systematically undermined by the “terrorist government of Netanyahu.”
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The three countries denounced Israel’s actions, particularly the decision to allow only minimal food into Gaza, criticizing it as “completely inadequate.” They also called unacceptable the country’s “refusal to provide essential aid to civilians in Gaza.”
“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions,” the joint statement warned. “If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
Deputy Conservative Leader Melissa Lantsman was swift to condemn Ottawa’s stance. Pointing out that a senior Hamas official previously praised Canada’s backing of a 2023 UN ceasefire resolution, she said, “Canada can’t claim to support Israel’s right to fight terrorism while threatening sanctions that would force it to stop. That hands a win to Iran’s proxies. Hamas just thanked Canada—again. So much for thinking Mark Carney would be any different — he’s not.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office echoed those concerns, accusing Western capitals of rewarding terrorism.
“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed…and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7,” his statement read.
He added that “the war can end tomorrow” if hostages are freed, Hamas disarms, and Gaza is demilitarized.
Canadian Jewish groups also voiced alarm. Noah Shack, interim president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said, “The fact that Hamas has reportedly applauded the statement… speaks volumes about its misguided premise. If Hamas were to release the hostages and cease targeting Israel, this war will come to an end. That is why thousands of Gazans are in the streets today bravely protesting Hamas rule.”
Critics note that Hamas routinely diverts international aid coming to Gaza to fund terror operations and exploits NGOs like UNRWA as de facto arms of its regime.
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