Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a scathing attack on Israel on Tuesday, saying the "killing of women, of children, of babies" in the Gaza Strip must end.
"I urge the government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint. The world is watching, on TV, on social media - we're hearing the testimonies of doctors, family members, survivors, kids who have lost their parents," Trudeau said, as quoted by Reuters.
"The world is witnessing this killing of women, of children, of babies. This has to stop," the Prime Minister was quoted as having told a news conference in the western province of British Columbia.
Trudeau also said Hamas needed to stop using civilians as human shields and should release all its hostages.
Trudeau spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the beginning of October, a day after Hamas’ murderous attack on Israel, telling Netanyahu that he “unequivocally condemned Hamas’ large-scale attacks against Israel and expressed his deep condolences to Prime Minister Netanyahu for the hundreds of lives lost.”
The two spoke again at the start of November, when Trudeau “expressed Canada’s support for Israel and its right to defend itself in accordance with international law, in the face of Hamas’ brutal attacks,” said a statement from the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office.
The Canadian Prime Minister was also a signatory to a joint statement by the leaders of several countries who expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense, while reiterating the need to protect civilians.
His latest criticism of Israel is reminiscent of French President Emmanuel Macron, who told the BBC over the weekend that Israel "should stop killing women and babies in Gaza".
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the French President's comments in a press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday night, saying that Macron "made a grave error" and adding, "We don't need these moral lectures."
A French political official later rejected Netanyahu's criticism, clarifying that Macron "has not changed his position" on Israeli action against Hamas but believes that Israel can and should do more to prevent harm to Palestinian Arab civilians in Gaza.
On Sunday, Macron called President Isaac Herzog to clarify the comments, telling Herzog that he does not and did not intend to accuse Israel of intentionally harming innocent civilians in the campaign against Hamas.
Macron also emphasized that he unequivocally supports Israel's right and duty to self-defense and expressed his support for Israel's war against Hamas.