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

Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, has rebuked Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi without even mentioning him.

“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, 2026

In 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.”

A message from Naheed Nenshi pic.twitter.com/VARwsRW20Q
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) July 16, 2026

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, 2026

Quebec 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, 2026

Abraham 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 PLURALISM

The 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, 2026

Benlolo 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.”

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