Israeli army gunfire near diplomats 'totally unacceptable�: Canadian premier
‘It's some of many things that are totally unacceptable that's going on in the region,' says Mark Carney
HAMILTON, Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the firing of warning shots Wednesday by Israeli soldiers near a group of senior Western diplomats including Canadians visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, calling it "totally unacceptable."
Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa following a two-day Cabinet planning forum, Carney said Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, has been summoned to meet with Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
"We expect a full investigation. We expect an immediate explanation of what happened. It's totally unacceptable," Carney said, adding that "it's some of many things that are totally unacceptable that's going on in the region."
Carney's remarks came after Israeli soldiers fired shots to intimidate the foreign diplomatic delegation as it arrived at the entrance to the camp, according to a Palestinian official who spoke to Anadolu.
The delegation included diplomats from several European Union member states, Türkiye, the UK, Canada, Russia, China, India, Brazil and Japan, as well as representatives from several other countries, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Israel recently escalated its genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, launching a large-scale ground operation to seize control of most of the enclave and accelerating Palestinian displacement.
Ignoring mounting international pressure, Israel has tightened its aid blockade on the enclave, causing more deaths with each passing day.
Golden Dome
Carney further fielded questions on Canada's defense policy, particularly about joining US President Donald Trump's newly proposed Golden Dome missile defense program.
"We are conscious that we have an ability, if we so choose, to complete the Golden Dome with investments and partnerships," he said, noting that discussions have taken place at a high level.
He said that "one of the reasons why we’re having more constructive discussions with the Americans is because we are demonstrating our ability that we have choices."
"We are in a position now where we cooperate when necessary, but not necessarily cooperate," he added.
Carney further emphasized that such matters are "military decisions" and that the government "will evaluate it accordingly."
Highlighting growing global security threats, he warned that Canada could face future missile attacks, including from space.
"We clearly need to be more proactive, because from the time you see a missile, there’s not much time," he said.
On Tuesday, Trump said that Canada is interested in joining the missile defense program, noting that "they want to hook in and they want to be a part of it."
"We'll work with them on pricing," he added.
In his remarks, the Canadian premier also revealed his government's "unified mission" outlined in a single mandate letter issued to all Cabinet ministers.
"This one letter outlines the core priorities of Canada's new government, reflecting the mandate that Canadians have given to us," he told reporters.
"The government is charged to build the strongest economy in the G7, an economy that works for everyone, to bring down the cost of living for Canadian families, to keep our country's security, our communities safe, to develop a new economic and security relationship with the United States, and to build new partnerships with reliable allies around the world," Carney said.
