Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland initially refused to condemn anti-Israel slogans as hate speech but later changed her position after seeing video footage of the protest.
Freeland, a member of Canada’s Liberal Party, had claimed ignorance when asked about chants of “long live October 7th” and “October 7th proves we’re almost free” – both bellowed by anti-Israel protesters during a weekend demonstration in Ottawa.
However, after seeing video clips of the demonstration, Freeland expressed shock and disgust at the antisemitism and glorification of terrorism that occurred on Parliament Hill.
“This hate speech has no place in Canada. None,” she said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the protest, calling it “hateful intimidation.”
“There is a difference between peaceful protest and hateful intimidation,” Trudeau said.
“It is unconscionable to glorify the antisemitic violence and murder perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th,” he added.
“This rhetoric has no place in Canada. None.”
Several Canadians were among the 1,200 killed by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
