Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird brushed off protesters in the West Bank city of Ramallah who pelted his convoy with eggs and shoes on Sunday, noting that he's seen "a lot worse."
Dozens of Palestinian protesters hurled eggs and shoes at the convoy and carried signs protesting Baird's visit to the West Bank, where he was set to meet with the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Maliki.
After the meeting, Baird told reporters that, as a member of cabinet in former Ontario premier Mike Harris' government, he was used to protesters.
"I was in Mike Harris' cabinet for four years; I've had a lot worse," Baird said.
The minister is in the region to attend meetings between Israeli and Palestinian officials. In a statement released Sunday, Baird said the two ministers had "cordial and constructive" talks on regional issues, including the Middle East Peace Process.
Canada opposes the recent bid by Palestinians to pursue war crime charges against Israel, stemming from last summer's war in Gaza.
"As friends, we have candid and frank exchanges on areas where we differ in opinion. I appreciate the Minister's views and counsel, and I know we share the same desire for peace and prosperity for the Palestinian people," Baird said in the statement.
"I asked that the Minister strongly reconsider the consequences of moving forward with any action that may be counterproductive to a negotiated solution with the State of Israel."
Activists had organized Sunday's protest against Baird because of Canada's perceived pro-Israel stance.
It was the minister's first meeting with the Palestinian Authority since the UN Security Council blocked a Palestinian motion to set a three-year deadline for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Baird has spoken out against the bid. He has also spoken out against past statehood initiatives by the Palestinian Authority at the UN.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat issued a statement Sunday claiming that Canada was standing "on the wrong side of history by blindly supporting the Israeli occupation and its apartheid policies."
The minister's meetings follow Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to Israel in 2014. During that visit, the two countries signed a declaration on co-operation in trade and development.
On Sunday, Baird issued a statement re-iterating Canada's support for Israel's right to defend itself.
"Canada strongly supports Israel's right to defend itself by itself and its right to live in peace with its neighbours. Canada will fight any efforts internationally to delegitimize the State of Israel, including the disturbing Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement," Baird said.
With files from The Canadian Press
