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Protesters who oppose Canada’s position in the Israel-Palestinian conflict interrupted a speech Friday by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird in London, Ont.

Baird was speaking to the Chamber of Commerce about global challenges that could affect Canada’s economy and security in the future when the incident happened.

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Isn’t it great to live in a country where we have freedom of expression?

Three people shouted at Baird about the deaths of Palestinian civilians while holding a white banner reading “Stop Supporting War Crimes.”

Baird’s response to the protesters was “Isn’t it great to live in a country where we have freedom of expression?”

He also pointed out that they would not be able to express political opposition to the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, calling Canada “a very blessed country.”

Canada has been a staunch supporter of Israel during the country’s month-long war with Hamas militants in Gaza, which has killed more than 1,900 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and 67 Israelis, all but three of them soldiers.