Canadian Election Sparks Pro-Israel Outrage as Mark Carney’s Victory Raises Hopes for Pro-Palestinian Advocacy
While Mark Carney's win is seen as damage control at best, pro-Israel voices express alarm over growing political traction for Palestinian rights in Canada.
Watan-The results of the Canadian election have provoked widespread outrage among pro-Israel circles. As for the Palestinian cause, the victory of the Liberal Party under Mark Carney is seen, at best, as a means of damage control rather than a fundamental shift.
Zionist Outrage
Aviva Klompas, a former speechwriter at Israel’s UN mission and Toronto native, voiced deep disappointment at the outcome. Meanwhile, Zionist influencer Dalia Kurtz announced plans to move to Florida, calling Canada now an “Islamic Republic.”
In response, Professor Sabrina Ghaffar-Siddiqui referenced the German word Schadenfreude—delight in others’ misfortunes—and wrote:“Canadian Zionists are so miserable today they’re telling each other to leave the country. That alone shows what this election result means. Our struggle for Palestinian justice continues, but for now, let’s savor the Schadenfreude of Israel’s defeat in Canada.”
Carney’s Ambiguous Stance on Palestine
What does Carney’s victory mean for those opposing Israeli genocide and apartheid?
Theoretically, a Liberal minority government backed by the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) offers the best-case scenario for Palestinian advocacy within Canadian political constraints. However, the NDP underperformed, despite holding enough seats to influence key legislation.
This mirrors the U.S. shift when Joe Biden replaced Donald Trump—an ardent pro-Israel figure—without significantly altering policy.
Trudeau: “I Am a Zionist”
In his final days in office, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared “I am a Zionist,” coinciding with Israel’s announcement to cut electricity in Gaza. This was likely timed to allow Carney to adopt a more “balanced” position.
Caution and Contradiction
Carney, unlike Trudeau, hasn’t shown ideological alignment with Zionism. His rise stems from his reputation as a former central banker, not political ideology.
At a Montreal event, Carney declined to answer a question about Israeli massacres in Gaza, calling it “complicated” before walking away mid-call, according to researcher Yves Engler (Mondoweiss).
During his campaign, when someone shouted “There’s a genocide in Palestine,” Carney replied:
“I’m aware. That’s why we imposed an arms ban.” later partially retracted, saying he didn’t hear the word genocide.
Conservatives: Full Support for Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu seized on this “slip” to publicly endorse Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who pledged to move Canada’s embassy to Jerusalem and defund UNRWA—echoing Trump’s extreme policies.
During debates, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh challenged Carney:“Why don’t you call this what it is—genocide?”
Carney dismissed it as political framing, then shifted focus to Iran in another debate.
Still, Carney hasn’t explicitly rejected describing the Gaza war as genocide—unlike other Canadian leaders.
Zionists in Carney’s Team
Carney’s real stance became clearer when he appointed staunch Israel supporter Marco Mendicino as interim chief of staff. Mendicino was a vocal advocate for “bubble zones” that restrict protests near Jewish institutions.
Before the election, Carney pledged to criminalize obstructing access to places of worship and community centers—a move seen as a direct response to protests against Israeli-linked events.
Palestinian and Canadian Pressure
Throughout the campaign, protests targeted both Carney and Poilievre. Activists also occupied the offices of Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault in Montreal.
Still, Carney’s win represents a rejection of Trump-style politics—a reality that deeply worries Israel’s supporters.
“Vote for Palestine”: A Campaign with Impact
The Vote for Palestine coalition became one of the most influential electoral campaigns, advocating for a bilateral arms embargo, ending support for settlements, defending pro-Palestinian speech, recognizing Palestine, and restoring UNRWA funding.
The campaign led to the election of 26 pledge-signing candidates—mostly from Carney’s Liberal Party.
Carney vs. Trump: A Strategic Shift
When asked about Trump’s views on Gaza and Ukraine, Carney stressed the importance of international law and warned against Trump’s threat to annex Canada—alarming Israel’s allies due to its implication in broader sovereignty debates.
Globally, Carney’s rise—alongside the success of Labour parties in Australia and the UK—signals a broader pushback against Trumpism. This trend could pose a mounting threat to Israel, which remains closely associated with the polarizing Trump brand.
