'Not welcome in Palestine': Protesters hurl eggs and shoes at Canadian convoy

Dozens of Palestinian protesters in Ramallah have hurled eggs and shoes at the convoy of Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, who travelled to the West Bank city today to meet with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki. The protesters held signs reading: “Baird you are not welcome in Palestine.” Activists from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party had earlier called for a boycott of the minister because of the Canadian government’s perceived pro-Israel stance. Baird is in the region for four days of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials.

In a statement this morning, [Baird] described his meeting with Malki as ‘cordial and constructive,’ and said it included ‘candid and frank exchanges on areas where we differ in opinion’. Canada is opposed to the recent Palestinian bid to pursue war crime charges against Israel.

The Canadian Press reports

This is also Baird’s first meeting with the Palestinian Authority since the United Nations Security Council blocked a Palestinian motion to set a three-year deadline for the establishment of a Palestinian state on lands occupied by Israel. Baird has spoken out against the move, as he has with similar Palestinian statehood initiatives at the U.N. He now returns to Israel to continue his consultations.

Middle East Baird eggs