The Canadian government issued a statement reaffirming its opposition to Israeli expansion in the occupied West Bank, where settlers have carried out widespread and violent attacks on Palestinian communities. Global Affairs Canada underscored that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and undermine prospects for peace.

The statement prompted a rebuttal from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which accused Canada of moving to “embolden terror.” Israel claimed that a wave of Palestinian terrorism is sweeping the area, and Canada’s response should focus on terrorists rather than condemning Israel.

Violence has surged after a Palestinian man grabbed a settler’s gun and shot him dead last week. Israeli authorities framed the incident as terrorism and used it to crack down on Palestinian communities. The UN reported 76 Palestinian deaths from settler attacks this year and warned that attacks could reach 2,000 by year-end.

Canada and Israel have previously clashed over the West Bank. In December, Israel denied entry to six Canadian MPs who planned to meet Palestinian officials and human rights advocates, citing them as a “public safety threat.”

Source: www.aljazeera.com