Canada dodges confirming role in Israeli Gaza war 'lessons' seminar

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
Today 17:55

Canada declines to confirm its role in an Israeli military seminar on the war on Gaza, despite public claims of its attendance and international participation.

Defence Minister David McGuinty, right, greets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before a NATO defense ministers meeting at the NATO headquarters, in Brussels, on June 5, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty declined to confirm whether Canada participated in an Israeli military conference focused on "lessons learned" from the war on Gaza, despite claims from Israeli authorities that Canadian officials attended.

When asked about Canada’s involvement during the opening of the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday, McGuinty avoided a direct response.

“Canada is monitoring and participating in discussion in what might happen when the ceasefire might transition into a formal end to the war. This is as far as I can share in terms of information,” McGuinty said.

Israeli authorities had already stated that Canada was among several countries attending the seminar.

Israeli military hosts seminar on Gaza war tactics

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it was hosting a weeklong seminar titled “International Seminar for Lessons Learned from the War on Gaza.” The military described the event as focusing on its two-year-long war in the Strip.

“The seminar is being attended by commanders and officers from various armies around the world, who came to learn from the [Israeli military’s] experience over the past two years,” the statement said.

According to the military, participating countries included Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, India, Greece, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Estonia, Japan, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.

“The purpose of the seminar is to strengthen co-operation, enhance familiarity with diverse operational approaches, exchange professional knowledge and experience between the participating militaries, and reinforce understanding of the [Israeli military] activity,” the statement read.

AI warfare, destruction in Gaza highlighted at event

Participants reportedly observed Israeli military operations, including the use of AI systems, robotics, cyberwarfare, and coordinated strikes targeting Gaza. These demonstrations came amid the broader context of a genocidal war that has killed more than 69,500 Palestinians and wounded over 179,000.

Attendees also witnessed the devastation across Gaza, including entire communities flattened along the border region.

Halifax Forum coincides with controversial seminar

The Halifax International Security Forum, created by Canada’s Department of National Defense and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in 2009, serves as an annual platform for Western governments to address global security issues. This year’s forum coincided with the controversial Israeli seminar.

While Canadian officials remain evasive about the country's participation, Israeli sources maintain that Canada took part in observing and reviewing tactics used during the war on Gaza.