Letter to the Editor

This is a copy of a letter that has been forwarded to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

We are angry with your government’s lack of action in deterring Israel from exterminating Gazans. Israel’s rhetoric is becoming more clear and more alarming. Yet your government authorized at least $28.5 million of new permits for military exports to Israel during the first two months of the state’s brutal war on Gaza.

Hamas must be held accountable for their crimes against humanity. Root them out. Charge them. Yet, how do you justify what Israel is doing to Palestinian citizens? It is beyond ‘protecting itself.’ It has been declared a genocide.

Canada must uphold its responsibility under Article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. As a high signatory, Canada is required to take actions to ensure that violations of the Convention do not occur under any circumstance.

UN Secretary-General Guterres spoke the truth: “It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. . . The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation.”

During the 1948 Arab-Israeli war hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes and native cities in the wake of Israel’s founding. Their villages were destroyed, or resettled and renamed, their histories erased. The “State of Israel” was created and established by force and with the backing of western powers, funding, and arms – including Canada. Who then is going to free Palestinian people from a century of oppression?

IDF snipers are intentionally shooting at medical staff and Palestinians receiving aid, as well as families fleeing their homes. Israel directs Palestinians to move to certain areas, then they bomb that area, knowing full well, Palestinians have nowhere else to go, no food, no water, no medical aid. Yet, your position appears to be support of Israel at all costs. It may well be at a political cost for your Party.

Your government continues to support Israel’s assault on Palestinians by:  refusing to halt arms exports; increased arms exports by 33% in 2021 amid Gaza bombing; refusing to take action to prevent the illegal recruitment of Canadian volunteers to assist Israel’s military; and refusing to stop millions of dollars from being unlawfully sent by some Canadian organizations with charitable status to benefit Israel’s military.

On November 9, Canada voted against the United Nations resolution on ending the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories; 168 countries voted in favour of ending the occupation, nine abstained, and Canada shamefully joined seven countries opposing the decision.

This is unconscionable. End our complicity!

We ask that you:  call out both Israel and Hamas for their war crimes; reinstate aid to UNWRA; cut off aid and equipment used for military purposes to Israel; and support a United Nations vote on a ceasefire to provide time for Israel, Hamas and Palestinian representatives to work out a two-state solution, which includes rebuilding Gaza and returning illegally settled lands by Israel back to Palestinians. Without a permanent resolution, there is no hope for peace in the middle east.

Canada used to be known as a Peacekeeper nation. Let us regain whatever semblance of humanity we have left on the world stage. There is an opportunity here. The choice is yours.

We look forward to hearing your televised reparations.

Distressed Canadian citizens,

Sharon & Joseph Cross,

Cranbrook

---

Article Share

---