Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has denounced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Gaza, calling them “abhorrent” but declining to label them as ethnic cleansing, despite growing international condemnation.
Trump ignited a firestorm this week by suggesting that the Palestinian enclave be emptied and transformed into an American resort, drawing sharp criticism from human rights groups, Middle Eastern leaders, and even members of Canada’s own cabinet. Both International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen and Justice Minister Arif Virani have said such a move would amount to ethnic cleansing, aligning with organizations like Human Rights Watch.
However, when pressed twice on whether she agrees with that characterization, Joly sidestepped the question, instead reiterating Canada’s longstanding support for a two-state solution.
“The comments were abhorrent,” Joly told the Halifax Chamber of Commerce on Friday. “We don’t believe in the forced displacement of people and we think that everything we do must be in accordance with international law.”
Her remarks reflect Canada’s official policy, which supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. Joly argued that achieving this goal would pave the way for broader Middle East stability, including the potential for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s statement comes as Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz revealed he has instructed the Israeli military to draft a plan to facilitate the voluntary relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to countries such as Canada. The proposal has fueled debate over forced displacement and the role Western nations might play in resettling Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict.
Joly also used her speech to emphasize the need for global pressure on Iran, accusing the country of collaborating with Russia and China to destabilize the region.
While Joly’s comments signal Canada’s disapproval of Trump’s proposal, her reluctance to use the term ethnic cleansing contrasts with other Canadian officials who have taken a firmer stance. As tensions in the Middle East escalate, Canada’s measured response may come under further scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.