Joly Says Israel and Hamas Ceasefire Is ‘Number One Priority’

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada is prioritizing negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as ensuring tensions in the Middle East do not escalate.
“We are working every day to support parties to get to a ceasefire. This is my number one priority; a ceasefire and the release of all hostages,” Joly told reporters at the Liberal cabinet retreat in Halifax on Aug. 26.
“At the same time, we call on parties to make sure that there’s no escalation, because obviously we need to bring back peace to the Middle East.”
Joly said she had recently spoken with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about a ceasefire. “It’s in Israel’s long-term security interest to do so, and it is, of course, in the interest of all the peoples living in that region. And that’s what we’re doing,” she said.
Joly said she had also spoken with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan. On Aug. 25, Sullivan told reporters that the United States has been concerned about the conflict between Israel and Hamas potentially “escalating into an all-out regional war.”
“We have worked round the clock with partners and allies, moving military assets, engaging in intensive diplomacy, both publicly and privately behind the scenes, to avert that outcome,” he said.
When asked by reporters whether Canada should adjust its messaging on the Middle East, Sullivan said each country will have its own perspective, but that they all “share a fundamentally common objective” of peace and stability in the region, security for Israel, and a “path forward for the Palestinian people.”
The statement also expressed support for Israel against “Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups” and called for Iran to stand down its threats of military retaliation.