PM expresses concerns over policies of Israel, China

OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waded into the foreign policies of Israel and China Tuesday, expressing concerns over separate but controversial positions that he says undermine peace in both places.

Trudeau denounced Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. And he said he has expressed Canada’s disagreement over the proposed annexation directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, the country’s “alternate” prime minister under a power-sharing agreement.

“I’ve been very direct with the Israeli leaders,” Trudeau said. “We deplore such actions, which are going to delay any prospect of lasting peace in the Middle East. So, we should be working while respecting the concept of dialogue. And we are very concerned.”

Trudeau reiterated Canada’s view on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians — Canada favours a two-state solution and does not approve of “unilateral” actions by either side. He also called on China to engage constructively with the people of Hong Kong after Beijing imposed a new national security law that has fuelled widescale protests.

Trudeau said Canada is concerned about its 300,000 citizens in Hong Kong “and millions of others who are fighting for justice and peace. “We will continue to stand up for peace, for dialogue, for de-escalation of tensions and for Beijing to engage constructively with the people of Hong Kong,” the prime minister said.