‘Unacceptable for hate to creep’ into Calgary Stampede says Israel’s ambassador in rebuke of Nenshi

Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeNewsCanada'Unacceptable for hate to creep' into Calgary Stampede says Israel's ambassador in rebuke of NenshiIddo Moed recognized the value of Alberta 'friends old and new' he met at the Calgary Stampede and said he saw 'the growing strength of the Israel–Alberta partnership'Last updated 17 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi with Iddo Moed, Israeli Ambassador to Canada, at the Calgary Stampede. (Photo credit: Embassy of Israel photo/via Facebook)Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, has rebuked Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi without even mentioning him.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLESEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“Friendship should never be controversial,” Moed said in a statement, hours after Nenshi posted a letter expressing regret for posing for a photo with Moed at the Calgary Stampede.Nenshi wrote: “I want to speak to you from the heart about a photo going around from last weekend. I’m so sorry for the harm it caused.”Moed responded by recognizing the value of Alberta “friends old and new” and saying he saw “firsthand the growing strength of the Israel–Alberta partnership.” Then he added: “But it’s unacceptable for hate to creep and fester into a space built on hospitality, undermining the respect and empathy that should define it.”STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR IDDO MOED:“Friendship should never be controversial.”At Calgary Stampede with a 6-person tech delegation, I reconnected with Albertan friends old and new, and saw firsthand the growing strength of the Israel–Alberta partnership.But it’s unacceptable…— Israel in Canada (@IsraelinCanada) July 17, 2026In his letter, Nenshi said he was approached by Moed, and they “had a very brief and frank exchange during which a photo was taken.”He added: “After talking to many people in the community over the last couple of days, I better understand the immense hurt this has caused to a lot of folks.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Calgary Conservative MP, Michelle Rempel Garner took to X to show her support for the Israeli ambassador, posting a photo of herself with Moed and identifying him as “an important diplomatic stakeholder” and thanking him for holding a business tech conference in Calgary.Oh look, it's me meeting with an important diplomatic stakeholder who held a business tech conference in our province -- what any good elected official would do. Thank you @MoedIddo for coming to Calgary, it's always great to see members of the diplomatic core in Alberta. pic.twitter.com/k5ax2YalBm— Michelle Rempel Garner (@MichelleRempel) July 17, 2026Quebec Senator Leo Housakos posted that he stands unapologetically “shoulder to shoulder” with Moed and the people of Israel, “the only democracy in the Middle East, where freedom, human rights, and the rule of law prevail.”Yesterday, today, and every day, I proudly and unapologetically stand shoulder to shoulder with Ambassador @MoedIddo and the great people of Israel - the only democracy in the Middle East, where freedom, human rights, and the rule of law prevail.cc: @nenshi pic.twitter.com/H7Ea67AzqI— Senator Leo Housakos (@SenatorHousakos) July 17, 2026Abraham Global Peace Initiative president Avi Abraham Benlolo said his group condemns Nenshi’s apology: “No democratic leader should apologize for engaging with the accredited representative of a sovereign democratic nation.”AGPI CONDEMNS NAHEED NENSHI'S REMARKS AS A REJECTION OF PLURALISMThe Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI) strongly condemns Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi's apology for appearing in a photograph with Israel's Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed. No democratic leader should… https://t.co/hNWR4Y5wLZ— Avi Abraham Benlolo (@AviBenlolo) July 17, 2026Benlolo noted that Nenshi referenced the humanitarian situation in Gaza but failed to acknowledge the October 7 terrorist attack.“Such remarks reinforce efforts to isolate Israel, legitimize anti-Zionist exclusion, and contribute to an environment in which antisemitism increasingly flourishes.”Ariel Kimmel, president of public affairs firm Winston Wilmont, posted a photo of an invitation from the B’nai Brith’s 61st Gentlemen’s Dinner in 2011, when Nenshi was lauded as then-mayor of Calgary.I guess @nenshi had no issue being honoured by the Jewish community when it was beneficial for him. But it’s not politically expedient when you’re trying to win Calgary Northeast. pic.twitter.com/D2FGP6f3Rh— Ariella 💛🤘 (@ariellakimmel) July 17, 2026“I guess (Nenshi) had no issue being honoured by the Jewish community when it was beneficial for him.”Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.