OTTAWA โ Israelโs ambassador to Canada has urged Ottawa to recalibrate its Middle East policy and repair a frayed relationship, saying Jerusalem will accept Canadian expertise only through one-on-one cooperation and not through initiatives that isolate Israel.
In a National Post opinion piece and accompanying public posts, Ambassador Iddo Moed urged Prime Minister Mark Carneyโs government to reconsider policy decisions adopted after October 7 that, he said, have undermined Israeli security. He said the path back to constructive relations runs through bilateral engagement rather than multilateral measures aimed at pressuring Jerusalem.
Moed singled out recent Canadian foreign policy steps as a key obstacle to normal diplomatic cooperation. He warned that initiatives perceived as punitive have real security consequences and must be reversed or modified if cooperation on intelligence, technology, and security capacity is to resume in earnest.
The ambassador’s remarks come after a period of mounting diplomatic tension between Ottawa and Jerusalem. In September 2025, Canada formally recognised the State of Palestine, a move taken in concert with several other Western governments and framed by Ottawa as a step to preserve a two-state solution. The recognition prompted a strong rebuke from Israeli officials and contributed to a chill in official ties.
Prime Minister Carney defended Canadaโs decision to recognise Palestinian statehood as a means to advance peace and to pressure parties toward democratic reform and demilitarisation. The announcement followed similar moves by other Western capitals and was described by Ottawa as part of a coordinated diplomatic effort. The Israeli Embassy said the recognition damaged trust and complicated cooperation on matters of mutual interest.
Moed cautioned Ottawa that Israel remains open to collaboration in domains where Canada has expertise, including emergency response, medical innovation, and technology. He made clear, however, that such cooperation must be premised on direct, government-to-government channels and not on multilateral platforms that seek to single out Israel.
Observers say the diplomatic impasse has practical implications. Experts interviewed in recent coverage note that longstanding security cooperation, joint research initiatives, and technology partnerships depend on mutual trust and predictable diplomatic engagement. Restoring those ties, they say, will require both policy adjustments and sustained dialogue.
Jewish communal leaders in Canada reacted with concern to the diplomatic shift. Some praised Moedโs call for a return to direct engagement and urged Ottawa to weigh the domestic consequences of foreign policy changes. They warned that alienating long-standing allies and community partners could have political and social repercussions at home.
The ambassador also underscored Israelโs enduring security priorities, including the return of hostages taken on October 7 and steps to prevent the resurgence of armed groups that threaten civilians. He said these issues remain central to Israeli decision-making and to any future cooperation with partner states.
For its part, the Government of Canada said the recognition of Palestine is intended to preserve the possibility of a negotiated two-state outcome and to encourage Palestinian reforms, including elections and demilitarisation, that Ottawa says are required to make statehood constructive rather than destructive. Ottawa also emphasised that recognition does not preclude ongoing bilateral ties with Israel on defence, trade, and innovation.
As tensions persist, both sides face a choice. Canada can pursue a course of conditional engagement that seeks to balance pressure with partnership, or it can double down on measures Israel views as isolating, potentially narrowing the channels for cooperation. Ambassador Moedโs public appeal frames that choice in stark terms, urging Ottawa to return to the bilateral, trust-based diplomacy that underpinned much of the Canada-Israel relationship in the past.
This article is based on verified information from the National Post, the Israeli Embassy in Canada, Reuters, the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, and reporting by Politico and JNS.