Canadian politicians are starting to grapple with the ramifications of the Israel-Hamas war

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, as he has on three occasions over the last week, that Israel has the “right to defend itself in accordance with international law,” it is both parts of the sentence that seem to matter — both the right and the obligation. 

Canadian politicians are starting to grapple with the ramifications of the Israel-Hamas war
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, as he has on three occasions over the last week, that Israel has the “right to defend itself in accordance with international law,” it is both parts of the sentence that seem to matter — both the right and the obligation.