OTTAWA — Israel is pitching itself to Canada as a technology partner that can offer tangible solutions and safer artificial intelligence, despite the heavy strains on the bilateral relationship over wars in the Middle East. “Canada and Israel are both countries that are very much looking to export technologies, to open new markets and to solve problems that also exist elsewhere,” Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed told The Canadian Press. Moed has said his country’s relationship with Canada is at its lowest point in nearly 80 years of relations.
Canada accuses Israel of grave violations of international law, while Israel argues Ottawa is taking steps that undermine prospects for peace. Prime Minister Mark Carney has never had a formal call or meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Carney has accused Netanyahu’s government of failing to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip by repeatedly restricting the delivery of essential aid to Palestinians.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said in May that Israel’s mistreatment of Canadians participating in a flotilla trying to reach Gaza violated the Vienna Convention. Israel says Canada is undermining peace in the region through its growing criticism of the country, its withdrawal of support in United Nations votes and its formal recognition of the State of Palestine. Moed said he still believes the Carney government has some interest in collaborating with Israel on AI and that this could involve companies working together to boost defences against cyberattacks.
He said Israeli tech firms could also help Canadian municipalities use data to better manage road traffic flows. Moed said Israeli companies also want to collaborate with Canada on Israel’s hospital-at-home concept, which involves monitoring patients with acute or chronic needs through wearable devices and video calls. Israeli firms have run hospital-at-home pilot projects in Europe and the U.S., and are interested in doing the same in Canadian provinces, he said.
“Many times, Israelis are leading in finding quick solutions for significant problems,” Moed said. He argued that Israel’s tech sector dovetails with the Carney’s government’s focus on economic productivity. He said both countries have a “culture of innovation” but Israel has put more focus on translating res…
Summary from source