Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized Benjamin Netanyahu’s position on Palestinian statehood after the Israeli prime minister claimed in a nationally-televised news conference that the so-called “two-state solution” is dead.
“I was not surprised to hear Prime Minister Netanyahu share that. That has long been his position,” Trudeau said Thursday when asked about the comments at a press conference in Iqaluit.
“He and I had, just a few weeks ago, an extensive conversation on exactly this topic and others.
“Canada’s position is crystal clear. We believe the only way forward for the region, indeed the only way forward for a safe and secure Israel, is to have a Palestinian state that is also safe and secure with internationally-recognized borders. We believe in a two-state solution.”
WATCH | ‘Canada remains deeply committed towards a two-state solution’ in Gaza, Trudeau says
‘Canada remains deeply committed towards a two-state solution’ in Gaza, says Trudeau
3 days ago
Duration 1:10
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is ‘not surprised’ by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments on Palestinian statehood. Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu said he has informed the U.S. that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of any post-war scenario.
Netanyahu’s decision to lay his cards on the table Thursday sets up a potential conflict with Israel’s most important backer, U.S. President Joe Biden.
His address to the Israeli nation followed weeks of pressure by the United States to get Netanyahu’s government to commit to a plan for the post-Gaza War period that includes a clear roadmap to a sovereign, independent Palestinian state.
Israel’s Western allies committed to Oslo Accords
Despite Israeli requests for Biden to stop talking about the two-state solution during the war, the American leader and his envoys have continued to insist.
All of Israel’s western allies say they want to see the conflict resolved according to the principle of land-for-peace that Israel agreed to decades ago in the Oslo Accords.
Netanyahu has long opposed a two-state solution but has generally avoided saying so explicitly, at least in English.
In Hebrew, he has been more frank. In 2010, the Jerusalem Post released a 2001 video of Netanyahu in which he said he “de facto put an end to the Oslo Accords.”
His televised speech will further embarrass Biden, who has given Israel unconditional backing since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7. Biden has insisted that the U.S. and Israel are working together toward a two-state solution.
In his statement Thursday, Netanyahu told Israelis that “the prime minister needs to be capable of saying no to our friends.”
On Sept. 22, 2023, Netanyahu went before the UN General Assembly with a printed map entitled “The New Middle East” that showed a Greater Israel in blue containing all of the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses a red marker on a map as he addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Richard Drew/AP)
“In any future arrangement … Israel needs security control of all territory west of the Jordan [River],” Netanyahu said Thursday. “This collides with the idea of sovereignty. What can you do?”
Palestinian Delegate to Canada Mona Abuamara took aim at that part of Netanyahu’s speech.
“The thing that caught my eye mostly was the from-the-river-to-the-sea use,” she said on CBC News’ Power and Politics, noting that Palestinians who use the same language are routinely condemned.
“In the course of these three months, PM Netanyahu has said everything that Western democracies refuse to believe, and blame the Palestinians for not achieving the peace initiative, not fulfilling it,” she added. “But Netanyahu came out and said he’s the reason the Oslo Accord failed, and now he’s saying he will not allow for any part of it to happen.”
WATCH |International community needs to call out Israel, says Palestinian rep:
International community needs to call out Israel as an occupying power, says Palestinian representative
3 days ago
Duration 11:16
“You don’t allow the oppressor, the occupier to decide if the occupied and the oppressed get to have their own state. You recognize that state,” Mona Abuamara, chief representative of the Palestinian Delegation to Canada, told Power & Politics.
Pressed on Netanyahu’s remarks on CBC News’ Power and Politics, Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed said Israel is focused on winning the war, not on post-war arrangements.
“Talking about the two-state solution is something that is not tangible at the moment and therefore there is no reason to be discussed,” he told host David Cochrane. “Once we win that war, we’ll see.”
Asked whether Netanyahu’s comments would alienate allies that have supported Israel on the understanding that it would honour the Oslo Accords, Moed replied that “at the moment it’s not the right time to talk about that, and I think that the two-state solution is a concept that is not realistic.”
WATCH | Two-state solution talks ‘not tangible at the moment,’ says Israeli ambassador:
Two-state solution talks ‘not tangible at the moment,’ says Israeli ambassador
3 days ago
Duration 11:23
“Talking about an idea from the past when we know that the future is completely different … doesn’t really make sense,” Israel’s Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed told Power & Politics.
Since coming to power in 2022, the Netanyahu government has accelerated the granting of permits for new settlement construction in the Occupied Territories even as its settler allies have accelerated their often-violent efforts to push Palestinians from the land.
Much of the land envisioned as part of a future Palestinian state in the 1990s has now been taken by settlers or seized by the government of Israel for other purposes.
Moed said the situation in the region remains in flux. “Let us not try to impose any kind of an idea that is based on a reality that doesn’t exist anymore,” he said.
Canada’s position on Palestinian statehood
Israel’s new official position is also at odds with longstanding Canadian policy on the Middle East, which places the Oslo Accords and subsequent agreements that built on Oslo at the centre of its vision.
“Canada recognizes the Palestinian right to self-determination and supports the creation of a sovereign, independent, viable, democratic and territorially contiguous Palestinian state, as part of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace settlement,” says the government’s statement of Canadian policy on key issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Oslo, says the government’s policy statement, “continues to provide the basis for a comprehensive agreement based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.”
UNSC 242 is a resolution passed unanimously at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967 that requires “the withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict,” including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the Syrian Golan Heights. UNSC 338 reaffirmed that demand at the conclusion of the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
Canada’s official policy document explicitly states that “Canada does not recognize permanent Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967 (the Golan Heights, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip). The Fourth Geneva Convention applies in the occupied territories and establishes Israel’s obligations as an occupying power, in particular with respect to the humane treatment of the inhabitants of the occupied territories.
“As referred to in UN Security Council Resolutions 446 and 465, Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The settlements also constitute a serious obstacle to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”
That fundamental position has been held consistently by Canada, under both Liberal and Conservative governments, since the Israel-PLO agreement informally known as the Oslo Accords was signed in Washington in 1993.
An elderly woman looks on as she sits with children at a makeshift camp in an area of the European Hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on December 31, 2023, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (AFP/Getty Images)
Netanyahu’s cabinet is dominated by West Bank settlers such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who are fiercely opposed to a two-state solution.
The more extreme members of the Netanyahu government have been openly calling for the removal of Gaza’s Palestinian population and its replacement with Jewish settlements.
Opposition to the two-state solution is by no means limited to the Netanyahu government, however.
Benny Gantz, widely considered the frontrunner to replace Netanyahu, has denounced the Israeli coalition that took power on Dec. 29, 2022, as “an extremist government that will drag the country to the brink and to further radicalization.”
But Gantz himself has taken to referring to a “two-entity solution,” implying that he will only support a plan that leaves the Palestinians with something less than an independent state, because it was “impossible to rely on dreams.”
U.S. says Oslo is still the only path
While Israeli leaders have pointed to the October 7 massacre as a reason to take the two-state concept off the table, U.S. officials have taken the view that those events only confirm the need for a two-state solution.
“The October 7th attacks should have been a wake-up call to everyone that there needs to be a solution moving forward that addresses the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people while providing security to the Israeli people,” State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said last month. “We think the best way to achieve that is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”
Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (Fatima Shbair/The Associated Press)
In Davos, where the World Economic Forum gathered for its annual conference, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told delegates Wednesday that respect for Oslo and the two-state principle is not negotiable.
“You now have something that you did not have before, and that is Arab countries and Muslim countries, even beyond the region, that are prepared to have a relationship with Israel in terms of its integration, its normalization, its security that they were never prepared to have before,” Blinken said.
“But you have an absolute conviction by those countries, one that we share, that this has to include a pathway to a Palestinian state.”
No rebuilding without 2-state commitment
U.S. officials also have warned that other countries will not contribute anything to reconstructing Gaza after the war until they see Israel irrevocably embarked on a clear path to two states.
One presentation at Davos estimated those costs at about $15 billion just to replace housing, without considering public infrastructure.
“Look, we’re not going to get into the business, for example, of rebuilding Gaza, only to have it levelled again in a year or five years and then be asked to rebuild it again,” Blinken said on the sidelines of Davos, saying that was the message he had received from Arab leaders.
Abuamara said the Israeli PM’s remarks proved that the time has come for the international community to “implement” the Oslo Accords.
“We want the implementation of international law, we want for Palestine not to be the exception anymore,” she said. “We want for Israel to be held accountable.”
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Hearing the familiar sounds of clacking sticks and pucks banging off the boards and glass while watching Columbus Blue Jackets prospects from the stands of a cold rink on a warm late-summer afternoon was not enough to wash away the lingering residuals of grief for Don Waddell on Saturday.
That, the Blue Jackets’ general manager acknowledged, will take more time than anyone can guess — weeks, months, perhaps an entire season and beyond.
What mattered is how spending the weekend attending the Sabres Prospects Challenge represented a start to what Waddell called among the first steps in refocusing on hockey and the future in the aftermath of the deaths of Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles on Aug 29.
“We got to play hockey,” Waddell said. “We’re not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family.”
“Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey,” Waddell said. “And everybody’s rallying around that.”
The resumption of hockey in Columbus began last week, when most Blue Jackets players returned to their facility to be together and lean on each other at the urging of Waddell and team captain Boone Jenner. And it will continue on Thursday, when the team opens training camp, exactly three weeks since the Gaudreaus were killed.
“Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year,” Waddell said. “We all mourn and heal differently, but I think as a team being together like that is going to be critical for them to get moving forward.”
Waddell was general manager of the then-Atlanta Thrashers in 2003 when Dany Heatley lost control of his car and struck a wall, with the crash killing passenger and teammate Dan Snyder. In 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died during a July Fourth fireworks accident.
Waddell placed the emphasis on himself and coach Dean Evason — both newcomers to Columbus this offseason — to guide the team through what will be an emotional season.
“Now, do I think there’s going to be some dark days? I won’t be surprised,” Waddell said.
Reminders of the Gaudreaus’ deaths remain apparent, and reflected in Buffalo on Friday night. A moment of silence was held in tribute to the brothers before the opening faceoff of a game between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.
Afterward, Columbus prospect Gavin Brindley recalled the times he spent with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus and as teammates representing the United States at the world hockey championships in the Czech Republic in May.
“He was one of the biggest mentors for me at the world championships,” Brindley said. “I couldn’t tell you how many times we hung out with Meredith, pictures on my phone. It’s just so hard to look back and see that kind of stuff.”
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association are providing the Blue Jackets help in the form of grief counseling, crowd security at vigils and addressing hockey issues, such as potentially altering the league’s salary cap rules to provide Columbus relief from having to reach the NHL minimum payroll because of the void left by Gaudreau’s contract.
“The Blue Jackets, I don’t think anybody’s focused from an organizational standpoint, from a hockey standpoint as to what comes next, because I think everybody’s still in shock,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told The Associated Press last week. “I don’t think anybody’s focused right now other than on the grieving part, which is understandable.”
Much of the burden has fallen to Waddell, who has been in discussions with the NHL and the NHLPA and dealing with outreach programs with the Blue Jackets’ partner OhioHealth, while also overseeing preparations for training camp and gauging his prospects in Buffalo.
There’s also his roster to attend to, which he said has two openings at forward, one involving Justin Danforth, who may miss the start of the season because of a wrist injury. Waddell didn’t have to mention the second opening.
Tiring and emotional as it’s been, Waddell found comfort being in his element, a rink, and looking ahead to the start of training camp.
“The guys are in really good shape. We’ve done a lot of testing already and they’re eager to get going,” Waddell said. “We have a reason to play for. And we’ll make the best of it.”
The Blue Jackets later Sunday signed veteran winger James van Riemsdyk to a one-year contract worth $900,000.
“James van Riemsdyk has been a very consistent, productive player throughout his career,” Waddell said. “Bringing him to Columbus will not only provide depth to our group up front, but also valuable leadership and another veteran presence in our dressing room.”
___
AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno in New York contributed to this report.
PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes was the target of abusive and racist comments on social media after a French league game.
The club condemned the abuse and expressed its “full support” Sunday for the Portugal left back, who was targeted following PSG’s 3-1 win against Brest on Saturday.
Mendes, who is Black, shared on his Instagram account a racist message he received.
During the match, Mendes brought down Ludovic Ajorque in the box for a penalty that Romain Del Castillo converted to give Brest the lead.
“Paris Saint-Germain doesn’t tolerate racism, antisemitism or any other form of discrimination,” the club said. “The racial insults directed at Nuno Mendes are totally unacceptable … we are working with the relevant authorities and associations to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Canada’s Michael Woods called it a race for second.
Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedalled to a resounding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.
The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Spain’s Pello Bilbao of Bahrain — Victorious to win the demanding 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.
“He’s the greatest rider of all time, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your very, very best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.
“He’s at such a different level that if you follow him, it can be lights out.”
Pogacar slowed down before the last turn to celebrate with the crowd, high-five fans on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.
The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also redeemed a seventh-place finish at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.
“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” Pogacar said. “To bounce back after seventh to victory here, it’s just an incredible feeling.”
It’s Pogacar’s latest win in a dominant year that includes victories at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career-best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but hoped for more after claiming a stage at the Spanish Vuelta two weeks ago.
“I wanted a better result,” the 37-year-old rider said. “My goal was a podium, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt like I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt like I was up there.”
Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near downtown in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.
He made his move with 23.3 kilometres to go, leaving the peloton in his dust as he pedalled into the lead — one he never relinquished.
Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao ultimately separating himself from the pack. But he never came close to catching Pogacar, who built a 35-second lead with one lap left to go.
“It was still a really hard race today, but the team was on point,” Pogacar said. “We did really how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We make it hard in the last final laps, and they set me up for a (takeover) two laps to go, and it was all perfect.”
Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, and called it a “hard day” in the heat.
“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line that it’s just going to be full gas,” Gee said.
Israel Premier-Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.
Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.
“I said then, well, clearly it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling isn’t that complicated.”
Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for a record third time on Friday, but did not finish in Montreal. The two races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.
Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing pace with 45 kilometres to go.
Only 89 of 169 riders from 24 teams — including the Canadian national team — completed the gruelling race that features 4,573 metres in total altitude.
Next up, the riders will head to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland from Sept. 21 to 29.
Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season — known as the Triple Crown.
“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” Pogacar said. “I think we are ready for world championships.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2024.
