If Benjamin Netanyahu stepped foot in Canada, he would be arrested, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed Thursday, after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister.

Also included in the mandate are Netanyahu’s former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader.

Trudeau was in Newmarket on Thursday to make a GST Notice when a reporter reminded him that under the warrants, Canadian law enforcement would be required to arrest Netanyahu if he entered the country.

When asked if he would allow the arrest, he replied:

“As Canada has always said, it’s really important that everyone respects international law, that’s something we’ve been calling for since the beginning of the conflict,” a somber-looking Trudeau replied.

“We are one of the founding members of the International Criminal Court (ICC),” he added. “We are fighting for international law and will respect all regulations and rulings of international courts. This is who we are as Canadians.”

The ad quickly drew both praise and condemnation.

“We are ashamed that Canada would align itself with such a politicized decision,” the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs wrote in a social media post.

“In doing so, Canada is undermining international law, straining its alliance with the US and damaging its relationship with Israel. This decision erodes Canada’s role as a principled advocate for equity and justice on the global stage.”

We are ashamed that Canada would align itself with such a politicized decision.

In doing so, Canada undermines international law, strains its alliance with the US and damages its relationship with Israel. This decision erodes Canada’s role as a principled advocate of fairness… pic.twitter.com/2hUm2vDKFu

— CIJA (@CIJAinfo) November 21, 2024

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) applauded Trudeau’s support for the ICC – the world’s largest war crimes court.

“Today, the Prime Minister took a step in that direction by agreeing that Canada will recognize these ICC arrest warrants. This means that Netanyahu and Gallant would be arrested if they stepped into Canada.

This is an important moment. Canada chose to do the right thing.”

The warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant allege that Israel used food as a weapon in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Israeli officials deny the allegation.

The court also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif — the head of Hamas’ armed wing for his role in the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, was quick to condemn the arrest warrant against him, saying Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions” of the court.

In a statement issued by his office, he said: “There is nothing fairer than the war that Israel has waged in Gaza.”

With files from The Associated Press