Israel ambassador 'deeply disappointed' in Canada's UN vote for ceasefire

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OTTAWA – Israel’s Ambassador to Canada said his country is “deeply disappointed” by Canada’s support for a ceasefire resolution at the United Nations on Tuesday.

Canada joined with 152 other countries at the UN general assembly meeting in support of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution also called for the release of all hostages and humanitarian access for Gaza.

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Nine countries, including the United States, voted against the resolution while 23 abstained. Prior to the UN vote, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a joint statement with the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand calling for a sustainable ceasefire.

Ambassador Iddo Moed said the UN resolution completely ignores the reality that Hamas is not looking for a peaceful resolution and makes no mention of the horrific attack that Israel experienced on October 7.

“I’m deeply disappointed with the support that Canada has given to this resolution that does not call out Hamas for its horrendous acts of terrorism against Israelis and does not address the root cause of the situation,” he said.

Moed said Canada has previously been an ally to Israel at the UN helping to added needed context to resolutions at the assembly, but he said Canada didn’t do that today.

“Part of the aim of this resolution was to isolate Israel in the UN yet again. Canada made it a point in the past not to allow that to happen.”

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Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said earlier in the day that Canada believes the ongoing violence in Gaza is only making the long-term prospects for peace less likely. She said the government wants to return to work on a real two-state solution.

“Thousands of children are now orphans. Countless Palestinian civilians in Gaza are suffering without water, food, fuel or medicine and their homes have been reduced to rubble,” she said. “We must recognize that what is unfolding before our eyes will only enhance the cycle of violence.”

Moed said the statement with Australia and New Zealand at least recognized Hamas as a terrorist organization, but calling for ceasefire assumes that Israel would have a partner in peace, which Hamas would never be.

“Calling again for a ceasefire, or hoping it to happen, or supporting a ceasefire is useless unless it addresses the cause which is Hamas.”

He said despite the difference here, Canada-Israel relations remain strong and his government’s primary concern is not what the UN general assembly has to say.

“There is overwhelming support in Israel for the government’s efforts to conduct this military operation against Hamas. This is what counts for us,” he said.

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Moed was not the only person to express disappointment with Canada’s vote. In addition to Jewish groups, Liberal MPs Anthony Housefather and Marco Mendicino both expressed their disappointment in the government’s decision.

“I disagree with Canada’s vote at the United Nations today. I do not support its call for Israel to agree to what is, effectively, an unconditional ceasefire. At present, that would only place in further jeopardy the safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza,” Mendicino said on the social media platform X.

Housefather said Hamas must surrender before any progress on lasting peace is possible.

“In my view, any cessation of hostilities requires Hamas to release all hostages and lay down arms and surrender. Hamas, a terrorist organization, is entirely responsible for starting a war. I disagree with our vote at the UN today.”

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