Marc Garneau reaffirms support for 'two-state solution' on Middle East trip

Foreign Minister Marc Garneausaid hereaffirmed Canada's support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his recent five-day trip to the Middle East, adding that both sides of the conflict should take steps to "lower the temperature" during a fragile ceasefire.

"I reaffirmed Canada's long-standing position that a two-state solution is the best path to comprehensive, just and lasting peace for both Israel and Palestinians," Garneau tolda news conference today. "As a starting point, all parties have a role to play at this time to lower the temperature."

On his tour, which took him to Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, Garneau met with government leaders,fellow foreign ministers and otherofficials.

Among them was Naftali Bennett, the new prime minister of Israelwho is presiding over a fragile coalition government. Bennett took over fromBenjamin Netanyahu, who was prime minister for over a decade and is now leader of the opposition.

The trip was Garneau's first to the region since becoming minister of foreign affairs in January of this year.

Garneaureferred toatwo-state solution as a "long-term" goaland said that there are pressing short-term issues to address.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, agreed to a ceasefire on May 21 after 11 days of fighting which killed hundreds of people,most of them in Gaza.

The ceasefire has been tested by further clashes.Hamas sentfire-carrying balloons into southern Israelafter a parade of Israeli ultranationalists marched through East Jerusalem. Israelretaliated with air strikes on Gaza.

Garneaucalledmaintainingthe ceasefire hisnumber one priority in the region. His second priority, he said, isto get humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"Gaza ... was hit hard, not only with the loss of life but also with the destruction of many homes and also infrastructure that is essential to carry out a normal life," he said.

Garneau said that during his meetings he offered advice to both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He said he encouraged Israel to cease settlement activities in East Jerusalem, calling the settlements "quite provocative."

Garneausaid headvised the Palestinian Authorityto conduct elections as soon as possible.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delayed elections in Aprilwhich would have been the first in 15 years citing disputes with Israel about voting in East Jerusalem.

Garneau said Palestinians should have the opportunity to vote.

"We feel that it is very important for the democratic process and the fact that many Palestinians would like to vote, and many, many Palestinians have never voted in their life because the last elections were so long ago," he said. "And this is an opportunity for them to express themselves democratically."

He added that he expressed concerns about a Palestinian activist who diedin the custody of Palestinian security forces this week.