Canada must press Israel to end assault on Gaza
The Honourable John Baird
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2, Canada
Dear Minister Baird,
We, the undersigned Canadians of Palestinian descent, are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding recent violence in Palestine.
The law of war and the dictates of common sense enshrine the right to self-defence. It is the primary duty of every nation to protect its citizens and uphold their freedoms.
The military occupation and blockade of Palestine by Israel are acts of aggression that no nation on earth would tolerate. They represent an assault on the liberty of the Palestinian people which impels Canada and the international community to hold Israel accountable.
In the furtherance of its military occupation, Israel has engaged in its latest air campaign, killing over two hundred Palestinians last week, the majority of whom were women and children.
Minister Baird, the Government of Canada upholds Israel’s right to defend itself, but we have not heard Canada calling for Israel's withdrawal from Occupied Palestine. Neither have we heard Canada call on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza, which constitutes a violation of the prohibition of collective punishment codified in Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Canadian values must be applied on a universal, rather than a selective basis. Canada’s stated policy, namely, that it does not recognize permanent Israeli control over Occupied Palestine, must be affirmed.
To that end, we urge Canada to condemn the civilian deaths Israel has inflicted on Palestine during Operation Protective Edge. We request that Canada provide any and all medical and humanitarian assistance to the victims of said operation. We ask that Canada use its good offices and friendship with Israel to facilitate an immediate ceasefire. We call on Canada to pressure Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and withdraw from Occupied Palestine.
We thank you, Minister Baird, for your engagement with all parties in the furtherance of justice in the Middle East. With Canada’s guidance, Israel and Palestine may finally live alongside each other in equality and peace.
Respectfully,
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