The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Canada's condemnation of Israel emboldens Palestinian terrorism. "A wave of Palestinian terrorism is sweeping Judea and Samaria. Israelis are being murdered and wounded by Palestinian terrorists. Yet Canada's response is not to focus on the terrorists or those who glorify and encourage them, but to condemn Israel," The ministry stated.
Canada's Foreign Ministry had posted a statement condemning "the ongoing violence in the West Bank" And calling for an end to Israeli settlement expansion, which it characterized as illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace and stability.
The dispute followed recent incidents in the region. Two Israelis were killed and six wounded in a shooting near Havat Gilad in Samaria when Palestinians attacked a group of Israelis hiking. The victims were identified as Benayahu Melet, 32, and Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, from Herzliya. On Saturday, an altercation between Palestinians and Israeli civilians south of Hebron resulted in a Palestinian seizing a weapon and firing shots, wounding an Israeli soldier on leave.
Eliram Azulay, head of the Mount Hebron Regional Council, said "Terror against the communities is escalating to a very dangerous stage. The terror is trying to frighten us and expel us from here. We will add more life and expand the settlement enterprise in the area."
Israel's ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, criticized Canada's response, stating "A Palestinian terrorist shot Israelis at point-blank range, murdering two and seriously wounding two others. Yet Canada's response is to condemn Israel" And asserting that such messaging "gives a green light to terrorism."
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs questioned Canada's consistency, noting that Prime Minister Mark Carney had recently stated Canadian foreign policy would abandon "lecturing countries from afar" While visiting Turkey and Saudi Arabia, yet appeared to apply different standards to Israel.
Israel's embassy in Ottawa responded by condemning violence against Jews in Canada and calling for de-escalation and protection of civilians.