Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Oct. 8, 2023 – see link below
Photo credit: Al Jazeera English CC BY-SA 2.0 (license link below)
The Canadian Boat to Gaza stresses the importance of looking at the root causes of the current attacks on Israel and the Israeli military response. We object to the Canadian government’s unqualified support for Israel. The tragic loss of life in the past few days require an immediate ceasefire, not an escalation of violence. The recent violence has a context which is far too often ignored by both government and media.
While we do not support violence in any form, we must point to the precipitating factors that led to the current crisis. Canada along with the international community has failed to acknowledge the 17 year old blockade of Gaza in any substantive way. A blockade that severely limits access to employment, food, fresh water, electricity, and health services as well as other basic necessities is collective punishment: a war crime under international humanitarian law.
Israel has occupied Palestine for 75 years. Basic human rights are denied, Palestinian homes are demolished, Israeli settlements continue to expand and settler violence is on the rise. Palestinian children are imprisoned without just cause. The Canadian government and our allies are silent about these ongoing crimes, and therefore complicit in the root causes of the violence.
We call on the Canadian government to do all that is within its power, both in word and action, to address these inhumane acts and call for an immediate cease-fire.
We call upon those living in this part of Turtle Island to make the same demand of our government (see below).
See also:
Government of Canada to refrain from issuing one-sided statements that unconditionally support Israel, by the Coalition of Canadian Palestinian Organizations.
You can send this statement via e-mail (or modify to your own message) using these links provided by the Canadian Palestinian Social Association of London:
Or find your MP and contact info: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en or here: https://www.noscommunes.ca/Members/fr
Palestinian ambassador to the UK refuses to condemn attacks: “Israel must be told by the international community that it must respect international law.” (Sky News, UK).
Palestinians Speak the Language of Violence Israel Taught Them. by Chris Hedges.
IJV Calls for a Ceasefire and Systemic Change in Palestine-Israel. Statement by Independent Jewish Voices Canada.
FFC stands by the Palestinian people, calls for an immediate end to Israeli attacks and blockade. Statement by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
Photo: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en