Quebec’s diplomatic representative to settle in Israel amid ongoing conflict
Quebec’s International Relations Minister, Martine Biron, announced on Wednesday that the province’s diplomatic representative will be permanently stationed in Israel in the coming months. This decision comes as the conflict in the Gaza Strip continues to escalate.
Initially, Biron had expressed a desire to wait for peace to return before fully operationalizing the Quebec office in Israel. However, during a parliamentary committee hearing, she stated that the situation has stabilized and the economy has recovered, prompting the decision to move forward with the deployment.
The move has sparked debate among lawmakers, with some questioning the prudence of establishing the office in Israel while the conflict persists. Biron defended the decision, emphasizing the economic potential of the region and stating that Quebec’s interests in Israel are primarily economic, not political.
Critics, such as Québec solidaire MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, raised concerns about Israel’s human rights record and questioned whether there are certain “red lines” that should prevent Quebec from establishing a diplomatic presence in a country. Biron acknowledged the complexities of the situation but maintained that the office’s presence in Israel is justified.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Biron assured that the Quebec office in Israel is located within the secure environment of the Canadian Embassy. She emphasized the importance of economic opportunities in Israel and expressed confidence in the delegate’s ability to settle permanently in the region.
The decision to establish a permanent presence in Israel comes amidst a turbulent political climate, with tensions running high in the region. As Quebec prepares to solidify its diplomatic ties with Israel, the international community will be closely watching the developments unfold.