Strongly Condemning Israeli Attack on Al-Ahli Hospital |
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October 17th, 2023
Justice For All Canada condemns the latest war crime perpetrated by the Israeli regime in the strongest terms. The attack on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, where thousands of civilians sought medical treatment and shelter, shocked the world. The Health Ministry in Gaza reports that this Israeli airstrike has killed more than 500 Palestinians, with hundreds of victims remaining under the rubble. Under international law, the targeting of medical facilities and personnel is a breach of the Geneva Conventions, which protect the wounded and sick, including those in hospitals, from attack.
The assault on al-Ahli Hospital constitutes a civilian target and a stark example of Israel's disregard for basic human values and its continued aggression against the Palestinian people. Since the early 1980s, al-Ahli Hospital has been managed by the Evangelical Episcopal Church of Jerusalem. According to Palestine Chronicle, “It is one of the major medical centers in all of Gaza, as it provides medical support for thousands of Palestinians, especially poor, working-class families”.
“The devastation we witness is not a distant tragedy; it is a harsh reminder that we must challenge the status quo to protect the innocent and uphold the values we hold dear,” expressed Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
We call for such reprehensible acts to be unequivocally condemned by global authorities. Israeli perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions under international law.
Meanwhile, the UN’s failure to secure a new resolution proposing a ceasefire is deeply concerning and has significant implications for civilians' human rights and safety in the region. It would have strongly condemned all violence and hostilities directed against civilians if adopted. It would also have called for the unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment. Justice For All Canada is profoundly disappointed by the Security Council's failure to adopt the resolution, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. This resolution could have condemned all violence, hostilities directed against civilians, and acts of terrorism. “In the face of this heart-wrenching assault on al-Ahli Hospital, we are compelled to question the morality of silence and the consequences of inaction,” Ghayyur said in reaction to the vetoed resolution.
The senseless loss of innocent lives, including over 3,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, including 1,400 Israeli civilians killed, necessitates the urgent need for a ceasefire and the immediate cessation of hostilities. Global governments who have supported the right-wing Netanyahu government’s “right to defend itself” must recognize their tacit role and break their silence in the face of this tragedy.
Justice For All Canada calls for a comprehensive and just peace that can protect whatever remains in the region from the cycle of violence. This situation is beyond broken and reprehensible.
Justice For All Canada stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people dealing with trauma and tragedy on a massive scale. We call on world leaders to act swiftly to end the suffering and loss of life.
ONGOING ACTIONS
Justice For All Canada condemns the latest war crime perpetrated by the Israeli regime in the strongest terms. The attack on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, where thousands of civilians sought medical treatment and shelter, shocked the world. The Health Ministry in Gaza reports that this Israeli airstrike has killed more than 500 Palestinians, with hundreds of victims remaining under the rubble. Under international law, the targeting of medical facilities and personnel is a breach of the Geneva Conventions, which protect the wounded and sick, including those in hospitals, from attack.
The assault on al-Ahli Hospital constitutes a civilian target and a stark example of Israel's disregard for basic human values and its continued aggression against the Palestinian people. Since the early 1980s, al-Ahli Hospital has been managed by the Evangelical Episcopal Church of Jerusalem. According to Palestine Chronicle, “It is one of the major medical centers in all of Gaza, as it provides medical support for thousands of Palestinians, especially poor, working-class families”.
“The devastation we witness is not a distant tragedy; it is a harsh reminder that we must challenge the status quo to protect the innocent and uphold the values we hold dear,” expressed Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
We call for such reprehensible acts to be unequivocally condemned by global authorities. Israeli perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions under international law.
Meanwhile, the UN’s failure to secure a new resolution proposing a ceasefire is deeply concerning and has significant implications for civilians' human rights and safety in the region. It would have strongly condemned all violence and hostilities directed against civilians if adopted. It would also have called for the unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment. Justice For All Canada is profoundly disappointed by the Security Council's failure to adopt the resolution, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. This resolution could have condemned all violence, hostilities directed against civilians, and acts of terrorism. “In the face of this heart-wrenching assault on al-Ahli Hospital, we are compelled to question the morality of silence and the consequences of inaction,” Ghayyur said in reaction to the vetoed resolution.
The senseless loss of innocent lives, including over 3,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, including 1,400 Israeli civilians killed, necessitates the urgent need for a ceasefire and the immediate cessation of hostilities. Global governments who have supported the right-wing Netanyahu government’s “right to defend itself” must recognize their tacit role and break their silence in the face of this tragedy.
Justice For All Canada calls for a comprehensive and just peace that can protect whatever remains in the region from the cycle of violence. This situation is beyond broken and reprehensible.
- CEASEFIRE: This attack is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. It is imperative that the Canadian government, a friend and ally of the Israeli state, takes immediate action to address this grave violation by calling for an immediate ceasefire.
- RELIEF: We demand that humanitarian aid be allowed to enter Gaza without delay, regardless of the release of captives. Palestinian communities, families and children should not be held responsible for the crimes of others.
- ACCOUNTABILITY: Canada must hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions. Such violations of international law, including the targeting of civilians, civil society workers such as medical professionals and journalists, and the destruction of medical facilities, cannot be tolerated.
Justice For All Canada stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people dealing with trauma and tragedy on a massive scale. We call on world leaders to act swiftly to end the suffering and loss of life.
ONGOING ACTIONS
- Write to Prime Minister Trudeau using the letter below. Let him know that Canadians expect our government to act now. CLICK HERE TO SEND EMAIL!
- Make a call to Prime Minister Trudeau using the script provided. CLICK HERE TO MAKE THE CALL!