Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre today criticized the position of the federal government head Justin Trudeau on the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice accusing it of "genocide" against the inhabitants of the Palestinian Gaza Strip, describing it as "incomprehensible" and accusing the leader of the Canadian Liberal Party government and his foreign minister Mélanie Joly of deliberately providing answers that no one can understand.

Trudeau had told reporters on January 12 this year that Canada's "sincere" support for the International Court of Justice "does not mean that we support the premises of the lawsuit filed by South Africa."

Hours later, Minister Joly issued a written statement recalling what the head of government said and adding that proving the existence of intent to commit genocide requires a large amount of evidence.

Three days later, sources in Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa told the CBC News Network that the wording of Trudeau's words and Joly's statement aimed to indicate that no one should assume that the Canadian government supports South Africa's lawsuit simply because it supports the International Court of Justice hearing the case, nor that Ottawa outright rejects the genocide claims.

"He has divided the country on this matter just like (he did with) every other case," Poilievre added in his remarks to reporters yesterday.

The leader of the official opposition in the House of Commons rejected South Africa's genocide allegations against Israel, describing the lawsuit filed before the International Court of Justice as a "blatant" and "false" attack on the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

"It is time for the prime minister to be firm and stop trying to divide Canadians based on religion and ethnicity, and take a principled stand in favor of humanity and against the real advocates of genocide, who are the terrorists of Hamas," Poilievre said.

It is noted that when reporters asked the foreign minister why Canada does not openly support South Africa's allegations, or openly reject these allegations, Joly seemed unwilling to elaborate on her previous statement.

"Well, you have read my statement. My statement is my statement... and I have nothing more to add to that," Joly told reporters.

"What I can say to you is that we are following the case and will respond as things develop," Joly added before describing the situation in the Middle East as "tragic" and that the related violence and tensions here in Canada are "heartbreaking."

It is noted that the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany rejected South Africa's allegations against Israel.

For his part, Israeli Ambassador to Ottawa Edo Meyer called on the Canadian government to announce its rejection of South Africa's lawsuit, describing it as a "completely baseless accusation."

As for the head of the Palestinian General Delegation in Ottawa, Mona Abu Amara, she urged the Canadian government to support South Africa at the International Court of Justice, describing the lawsuit as a "case for justice and accountability."