'Our politicians are such cowards': Trudeau faces heat for Israel-Hamas war statement
People are calling out the prime minister after he previously stated "Canada stands with Israel" in an earlier statement.
Justin Trudeau is facing criticism on social media following his latest statement on the Israel-Hamas war.
Over the weekend, the Canadian prime minister released a message about the conflict in the Gaza Strip, noting Canada "stands firmly" with both Israelis and Palestinians and their right to live "without fear."
"Canada is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," Trudeau began in his statement. "We are working closely with allies and partners in the region to do everything we can to support affected Canadian citizens, including assistance departing from Gaza, the West Bank and Israel as quickly and safely as possible.
"The rapid and unimpeded access of relief via a humanitarian corridor is essential to address the urgent needs of civilians in Gaza. International law, including humanitarian and human rights law, must be respected. ... The loss of civilian life is deeply disturbing, and our heartfelt condolences are with all those whose families and communities have been affected. Canadians and people around the world must be steadfast in our support for the protection of civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian."
Users on X — previously known as Twitter — were quick to call out the Liberal Party leader, referencing that following Hamas' incursion on Israel on Oct. 7, he stated "Canada stands with Israel."
Some people also took aim at the prime minister's passive voice in his statement, with many calling on Trudeau to condemn Israel's retaliation against Hamas and its destruction on Gaza.
International law is NOT being respected. Civilians, journalists, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel, have been directly targeted in Israeli airstrikes, while Israel’s siege is using starvation as a weapon. Condemn Israel for these war crimes and demand a ceasefire now! https://t.co/T6BlSGJBpK pic.twitter.com/iChAjkuwuL
— Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (@CJPME) October 15, 2023
Who caused this “dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip”?
These messages of concern and sympathy are performative and meaningless.
If you really cared, you’d grow a spine and condemn Israel for their attacks on innocent civilians but manhood and honor are not in your… https://t.co/plFw9friEb— Shaykh Azhar Nasser (@ShaykhAzhar) October 15, 2023
this you? https://t.co/gsOMXzq1b9 pic.twitter.com/zxb5qNTzkR
— passport girl (@ShansAshley) October 15, 2023
Western politicians — after cheering the dehumanisation of Palestinians for the past 07 days — are now expressing their concerns for Gaza and human rights.
730 children have been killed in Gaza. You have blood on your hands, Justin Trudeau. https://t.co/yvhxGgO7Ps— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) October 15, 2023
Now some western politicians suddenly seem to have woken up to the obscene nature of what Israel is doing to Gaza but of course, there isn’t a single mention of the perpetrator, as if Palestinians die, occupy, besiege and bomb themselves. https://t.co/xoZyAKlWId
— AHMED | أحمد (@ASE) October 15, 2023
After Biden, here’s another war criminal shedding crocodiles tears after backing Israel’s occupation for decades and supplying them weapons. Just 2 days ago, he was asserting Israel’s “right to defence”, a euphemism for genocide in Gaza. Now he’s “deeply concerned” it seems. https://t.co/asoTheRljv
— Siddharth (@DearthOfSid) October 15, 2023
This makes it sound like Gaza suffered an earthquake not a relentless bombing campaign. https://t.co/ALg42MW6U9
— Moh Mousa | محمد الموسى (@MohMoose) October 15, 2023
Who is causing the “dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza?
Canada is calling for international law to be respected by whom? https://t.co/JR0w1UGyQy— Mariam T (@mariamtee) October 15, 2023
"Humanitarian situation"?
— SweetJem (@JemilaEA) October 15, 2023
Trudeau's statement comes after the family of an Israeli-Canadian woman, 22-year-old Shir Georgy, announced her death on Saturday, along with government officials confirming the death of a fifth Canadian on Sunday.
Since Hamas' incursion in Israel on Oct. 7, more than 3,600 people have died and up to 10,000 have been injured.
Israeli forces, along with a growing number of U.S. warships, have positioned themselves along Gaza's border in a looming offensive in what Israel said is a broad campaign to dismantle Hamas. It's estimated 300,000 troops have massed and are prepared to push into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "demolish" Hamas, adding that the show of unity "sends a clear message to the nation, the enemy and the world."