In a fiery exchange that has rocked Canadian politics, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken aim at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney following a controversial comment at a rally in Calgary.

The incident ignited on Tuesday when a protester yelled, "There is a genocide happening in Palestine!" During the rally, as tension mounted and the crowd booed, Carney responded, "I’m aware, which is why we have an arms embargo," igniting further outrage.

The following day, Carney attempted to clarify his stance, claiming he hadn’t fully heard the protester’s assertion, and stated he would defer to international courts on whether the situation in Gaza meets the definition of genocide: "I would never politicize the word," he insisted.

In a swift and stern rebuke, Netanyahu demanded that Carney retract his remarks, branding them as irresponsible. In a post on the social media platform X, Netanyahu declared, "Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney. Instead of supporting Israel—a democracy engaged in a just battle against Hamas—he criticizes the only Jewish state."

As Carney’s campaign for the upcoming April 28 federal election heats up, he has faced persistent disruptions from pro-Palestinian demonstrators at every public event this week, showcasing the growing divide on the issue.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza escalated dramatically in October 2023, following Hamas's brutal attack that claimed 1,200 lives in southern Israel and resulted in over 250 hostages. In response, Israeli military operations have reportedly led to over 50,800 Palestinian deaths and the destruction of vast areas of Gaza.

In a related development, Ottawa halted new permits for military exports to Israel beginning January 2024. However, critics pointed out that existing permits continued to facilitate shipments. Just last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced the suspension of 30 previously issued permits for military goods destined for Israel.

This high-stakes political drama is unfolding against a backdrop of escalating tensions, leaving observers to wonder how it will affect Canada’s international relations and the upcoming election.