Israel-Hamas war: Quebec diplomacy at work

Newly taking up his post, the head of the Quebec Office in Tel Aviv (BQTA), Alik Hakobyan, took advantage of his first mission on Israeli soil to ask the Netanyahu government that “humanitarian aid (be) delivered without hindrance in Gaza to meet the needs of innocent civilians.”

The meeting took place on March 21, according to an email sent by the diplomat to his superiors, a half-redacted copy of which was sent by the Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie (MRIF) to Radio-United States under of the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies.

In the summary of his first meeting with half a dozen representatives of the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, Mr. Hakobyan explains that he January2024, presented Quebec’s official position in relation to the Israel-Hamas war expressed by the motion adopted in the National Assembly on January 30, 2024 presented Quebec’s official position in relation to the Israel-Hamas war expressed by the motion adopted in the National Assembly on January 30, 2024.

October, the government of Quebec has repeatedly condemned the Hamas terrorist attacks and supported Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law, I indicated that after October 7, the government of Quebec has repeatedly condemned Hamas terrorist attacks and supported Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law. I indicated that after October 7, the government of Quebec repeatedly condemned the Hamas terrorist attacks and supported Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law.he writes, adding that he indicated that Quebec demands that all hostages be released unconditionally and that Hamas (surrender) its weapons.

But Mr. Hakobyan also informed his Israeli counterparts that the Quebec government was deeply concerned (sic) by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We demand that aid be delivered unhindered to meet the needs of innocent civilianshe wrote in his report, the rest of which was redacted by the MRIF.

Retired Canadian ambassador and professional in residence at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, Ferry de Kerckhove judges that the diplomat showed audacity in addressing a sensitive issue during his first official meeting with the Israeli government.

I think that, as a start, it’s taking a certain risk, because he could obviously be reprimanded by saying: “Look, mind your own business, it’s not your business. business“.

On the other hand, the former ambassador adds, humanitarianism is still one of the strengths of Quebec.

And even if the BQTA is not an embassy, ​​it was not illegitimate for Mr. Hakobyan to broach the subject, according to Mr. de Kerckhove, to the extent that the status of Quebec representations abroad is something normalized and that, when it comes to humanitarian aid, the federal-provincial border is much looser than it would be on a matter of domestic politicsFor example.

Furthermore, it wasn’t entirely incorrect to ask the Netanyahu government to let aid go to Gaza, believes the former ambassador, to the extent that the motion adopted on January 30 by the National Assembly demands this textually. Besides, I don’t think the Israelis reacted negativelyhe notes.

THE BQTA in the sights of pro-Palestinian demonstrators

Opened last fall in the premises of the Canadian Embassy in Israel, the BQTA is far from unanimous in Quebec.

In the National Assembly, for example, Québec solidaire (QS) is calling for its closure. MP Ruba Ghazal filed a petition on this subject in February. The Parti Québécois (PQ), for its part, is calling for a freeze until the situation calms down on the ground.

The opening of the BQTA also causes a reaction in civil society. It is denounced by pro-Palestinian activists who camp on the grounds of the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), in particular.

Invited to comment on this request, Monday, at a press briefing, the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Martine Biron, admitted that the government of Benyamin Netanyahu was not unanimous.

Ms. Biron nevertheless argued that the decision of the Quebec government to open a diplomatic representation in Tel Aviv was prior to the current conflict and that, on the ground, civil society, both in Israel and in the Palestinian territorieswas already preparing post-war.

On this subject, Ferry de Kerckhove actually observes that, despite the ongoing conflict, diplomatic relations with Israel continue as if there were no war. It’s not as if all delegations or embassies are starting to withdraw their staffhe points out.

A deployment scrutinized

THE BQTA was scheduled to be inaugurated last fall, but the ceremony was postponed indefinitely following Hamas’ coordinated attack on Israel on October 7.

Ms. Biron has since repeated that the head of the station operates from Montreal and that he will move to Tel Aviv only when security conditions allow it. Radio-United States, however, revealed on March 26 that Alik Hakobyan had been in Israel for a month as part of a first field mission.

The diplomat, who returned to Montreal two days later, left for Israel last Sunday for another one-month mission, confirmed the MRIF on Radio-United States on Tuesday. June, still according to the on-site security risk assessment. His return is scheduled for June 13, still according to the on-site security risk assessment. His return is scheduled for June 13, still depending on the assessment of security risks on site.it was clarified.

Mr. Hakobyan should settle down for good in Tel Aviv this summer, Martine Biron confirmed during the study of her ministry’s budgetary appropriations last month.