RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) – Dozens of Palestinian protesters hurled eggs and shoes at the convoy of the visiting Canadian foreign minister Sunday in a show of defiance toward Canada’s perceived pro-Israel stance.
John Baird was visiting Ramallah to meet Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki when demonstrators pelted his convoy. Protesters also held signs reading: “Baird, you are not welcome in Palestine” and “Baird, Jerusalem is our capital.”
Activists from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party earlier had called for a boycott of Baird because of Canada’s Middle East policies.
“This person backs up the Zionist movement,” protester Abdullah Abu-Rahmeh said. “This person diminishes the rights of our people, takes part and backs up building of settlements. We tell him that he’s not welcome.”
Baird is in the region for five days of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials.