Despite the conflict raging between Israel and Hamas, the head of the Quebec Office in Tel Aviv is preparing to move there full time this summer. At least that is what the Minister of International Relations, Martine Biron, hopes.
“Things have settled down, the economy has recovered. It was agreed that our office head begins to enter the site,” said the elected representative of the Coalition Avenir Québec on Wednesday, during the study of the budgetary appropriations of her ministry, in the National Assembly.
According to Mme Biron, Alik Hakobyan will pack his bags during the spring for a final temporary stint in Israel before settling down full-time a few months later at the Quebec Office, which is housed in the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv.
“If security permits, he will settle down, with his family, during the summer of 2024,” she said. “That’s the idea behind this nomination. It is because he is based in Israel, permanently. »
The minister was questioned by Quebec Solidaire MP Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, who criticizes her, like the Parti Québécois (PQ), for having continued the activities of opening the office despite the war. “I see that there are now 32,000 dead in the Gaza Strip. With respect, things have not settled down, there has been no lull,” thundered the united elected official, spokesperson for international relations.
However, the government of François Legault wants the official opening of the Tel Aviv Office as quickly as possible, in order to allow Mr. Hakobyan to “make economic contacts” on site. “We are not in Israel for political reasons,” Mr.me Biron, Wednesday, when asked about the conflict that still reigns.
Further details will follow.