Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marc Garneau, became the first foreign minister to visit Israel since Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government was sworn on June 13. Garneau arrived on Canada Day and spent the weekend meeting Bennett and Israel’s foreign minister, Yair Lapid, among others.
Garneau’s main goal was to lower “the temperature” regarding the conflict between Israel and Gaza, and to reiterate Canada’s positions on peace, settlements and the controversial forced evictions happening in East Jerusalem. He also announced more funding for research and development projects between the two countries.
So what are the key takeaways from this significant visit? While Canada still supports the two-state solution, that’s really on the backburner right now. Instead, Canada’s focus is on dealing with Gaza’s immediate humanitarian issues and making sure the ceasefire holds. To that end, Canada is hoping Israel will stop building new settlements in the Palestinian territories and cease the controversial forced evictions of Palestinians from neighbourhoods like Sheikh Jarrah.
The CJN’s Ron Csillag joins the show to break down what Garneau accomplished on his trip, what he said that was new and how much Canadian opinion matters to the Israel government.
What we talked about:
- Read: “Lowering ‘temperature’ was priority for Foreign Minister Garneau’s Mideast trip; urges PA to conduct elections” (thecjn.ca)
- Find the Canadian government’s press release about Garneau’s visit at Global Affairs Canada
- Visit Hand in Hand at handinhandk12.org
The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Victoria Redden is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. Find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.
