Netanyahu Rebukes Canadian PM Over Gaza Genocide Remark

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney following comments made during a rally in which Carney appeared to affirm a protester’s accusation of “genocide in Gaza.”

The incident occurred Tuesday evening when a pro-Palestinian protester interrupted a campaign rally to shout, “There’s a genocide happening in Gaza.” Carney, addressing the disruption, responded: “I'm aware, that's why we have an arms embargo.”

Netanyahu posted the exchange on his official X account, condemning Carney’s response as irresponsible and damaging. “Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney,” he wrote. “But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state.”

In his post, Netanyahu demanded a public correction: “Mr. Carney, backtrack your irresponsible statement!”

Facing mounting scrutiny, Carney later attempted to clarify his remarks during a press conference on Wednesday, claiming he had not clearly heard the protester’s full statement. “It was noisy... you hear snippets of what people say,” he said. “I heard ‘Gaza,’ and that, my point was that I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”

A senior Israeli government official also weighed in, calling Carney’s remarks “unfortunate” and inconsistent with Canada’s longstanding support for Israel. “There is no embargo,” the official clarified. “Just a suspension of a limited number of permits, and, of course, I don’t think Canada believes that there’s any sort of genocide.”

This public exchange highlights the broader international debate surrounding Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli government continues to assert that its operations are both lawful and necessary, aimed solely at dismantling a terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre and the ongoing threat to Israeli lives.

With antisemitic rhetoric and misinformation spreading in political circles, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s message was clear: defending Israel’s right to self-defense is not optional it is a moral imperative.

Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for more coverage on global responses to Israel and the Jewish world.