'I Am A Zionist': Trudeau's Support For Israel In Spotlight, Says 'No One Should Be Afraid To...'

Last Updated:March 08, 2025, 13:59 IST

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement comes as the Liberal Party prepares to elect a new leader to succeed him.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau | File Image/Reuters

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sparked a row after saying he is a “Zionist", a term used to define a person supporting the protection of a Jewish homeland in Israel.

Addressing the Forum on Combatting anti-Semitism, Trudeau called upon the people and said that no one in the country should be afraid to identify as a “Zionist."

“The increasingly common deafening indifference toward or even rationalisation of rising anti-Semitism is not normal. The term Zionist is increasingly being tossed around as a pejorative, even though it simply means believing in the right of Jewish people, like all people, to determine their own future, is not normal," he said.

“No one in Canada should be afraid to call themselves Zionists, I am a Zionist," he added.

Israel Embassy Welcomes Trudeau’s Remark

The Israeli Embassy in Canada praised Trudeau’s statement, emphasising its significance during challenging times for Jews both in Canada and worldwide.

In a social media post on X, the Embassy highlighted the alarming rise in antisemitism, citing data from Israel’s Diaspora Ministry that reported a 670 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents in Canada since October 7.

The post further stressed that such a surge is “unprecedented and should be a cause for concern." The Embassy also underscored the importance of backing words of solidarity with concrete actions to fight hatred and promote education against antisemitism.

UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Francesca Albanese stated that Zionism infringes on Palestinians’ right to self-determination, adding that combating antisemitism should not come at the expense of others’ rights.

“No ideology justifies the dispossession of a people or the denial of their right to self-determination. Canada has legal obligations to support, not obstruct, Palestinian self-determination-failure to do so can have legal consequences under international law. Canadians should be fully aware of this."

Row On Social Media

Trudeau’s remark sparked a social media row, with an X user saying: “He might as well declare himself proud of apartheid laws, proud of Israel’s illegal occupation, proud of their genocide."

Several other users commented, with some saying that his remark during the last days in the office would set his legacy, while others said, “No comment, only nausea".

Trudeau’s statement comes as the Liberal Party prepares to elect a new leader to succeed him. Having led the party since 2013 and becoming prime minister in 2015, he announced in early January his intention to step down amid declining poll numbers and internal party divisions.

The leading contender to replace him is Mark Carney, a former Bank of Canada governor who later became the first non-British governor of the Bank of England.

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