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Canada condemned comments made by Israel’s finance minister, who claimed there was no Palestinian history or culture and that there was no such thing as a “Palestinian.”
Bezalel Smotrich, who is also responsible for managing the occupied West Bank, made the comments during a speech he gave on Sunday at a conference in France.
“Is there a Palestinian history or culture? There is none,” he can be heard saying in footage shared on social media. “There are no Palestinians.”
When asked to react to Smotrich’s statement, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada cited Canada’s support for a two-state solution.
“These shameful comments from Minister Smotrich are unacceptable,” the spokesperson said in an email. “We call on the Israeli government to refrain from these comments, and to reduce tensions as soon as possible as we enter the important holiday season.”
Smotrich, who leads a religious-nationalist party in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, made the speech the same day Israeli and Palestinian officials met in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss de-escalation before Muslims. the holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover.
The coming period is sensitive as many Jews and Muslim faithful enter Jerusalem’s Old City, the emotional heart of the conflict and a flashpoint for violence.
US, EU condemn Smotrich’s comments
Other Western allies also criticized Smotrich’s remarks.
“We absolutely object to that language,” said John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council. “We don’t want to see rhetoric, actions or rhetoric … that could hinder or be an obstacle to a viable two-state solution, and that kind of language.”
The European Union said it “means to denounce other unacceptable comments by Minister Smotrich,” which it called dangerous and counterproductive.
Deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq described Smotrich’s remarks as “nonsensical.”
“Obviously, clearly and clearly it is the Palestinians,” he told reporters in New York. “These rights are upheld by the United Nations.”
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh condemned Smotrich’s remarks, saying they were incitement to violence.
There have been many confrontations in the West Bank over the past year, with daily Israeli military attacks, increasing violence by Jewish settlers and attacks by Palestinians.
In the past year, Israeli forces have killed more than 250 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians, while more than 40 Israelis and foreigners have been killed in Palestinian attacks.
The rising tensions with the Palestinians coincided with mass demonstrations in Israel against Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul the justice system.
Enemies of the move have carried out disruptive protests and debates have embroiled the country’s military; some reservists refused to show up for service. Netanyahu has rejected a compromise by the president of the Israeli figure.
Last week, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly spoke with her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen about the planned reforms. Ottawa’s official reading of the conversation said that “Joly emphasized his support for Canadian democracy, the rule of law and the institutions that support him.”
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