Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP for Saanich – Gulf Islands, has spoken out in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that a “whole civilization will die tonight.”
Repurposing the slogan “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk,” associated with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, May has urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to do more to de-escalate the United States and Israel’s war with Iran.
“Please Mr. Carney, do whatever you can to take the keys out of the president’s hands,” she said in a video posted on social media.
“Friends don’t let friends drive crazy.”
Escalating his threats against Iran, Trump is demanding a deal be reached Tuesday (April 7) that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump is threatening major attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure if a deal is not met.
Hours after Trump posted his threat on social media, Carney urged all parties involved in the war to respect international law and not target civilian infrastructure.
“That means not targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure. And we urge all parties in this war to follow those responsibilities,” he said at a news conference in Brampton, Ont.
May says the prime minister chose his words “carefully,” as the United States is both Canada’s biggest trading partner, and its historic friend and ally.
“But there is such a thing as being too careful,” she said.
“And in this instance, I think it’s time for Prime Minister Carney to publicly urge … U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw his remarks, to say those were not appropriate words while I’m trying to negotiate with the Iranian regime.”
May describes Trump’s statement as “unhinged and deeply alarming,” and in violation of international law.
By treading carefully, May says Carney is at risk of turning Canada’s role as a “force for good” into something “meaningless.”
“Canada should do better, say more, and give the world an island of sanity in the sea of crazy that’s going on right now,” she concludes.