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Statement

Condemning Canadian Reservists Joining the Israeli Defense Forces and their Involvement in Potential War Crimes​

October 23rd 2023

Justice For All Canada is deeply concerned by the news that Canadian citizens, registered as Israeli Defense Forces reservists, are planning to join the Israeli military and participate in the offensive against Gaza, which a significant number of genocide scholars consider to be a potential genocide against Gaza's 2.2 million population.

According to recent news reports, Israel has called up over 360,000 reservists of Israeli defense forces to participate in the conflict in Gaza.[1] 

There are circulating reports that suggest the Canadian government, under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, has provided free transportation for these reservists. It is essential to highlight that the involvement of these reservists appears to be in preparation for a ground invasion of Gaza, home to more than two million Palestinians living in extreme poverty under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since 2007. This raises concerns that these reservists will be involved in actions against the besieged, unarmed Gazans, potentially committing some of the worst war crimes in history. It's important to emphasize that, if this news is accurate, the provision of this transport facility is funded by Canadian taxpayers, and therefore, Canadian taxpayers could also be considered complicit if war crimes are committed in this Israeli offensive.

According to international law, Gaza has been an occupied territory since 1967 and a besieged territory since 2007. Today marks the 16th day that Gazans have been facing unprecedented aerial bombardment by Israel. Israel's reaction to the Hamas attack is deemed by many as disproportionate. It's important to remember that if the killing of civilians is considered terrorism, Israel has been engaged in this act of terrorism for seventy-five years, with the support of the US and Canada. Since October 7, Israel has declared war in Gaza, which experts say amounts to ethnic cleansing and even genocide of the 2.2 million Palestinians besieged without access to food, emergency medicines, electricity, and other utilities. Israel has ordered Gazans to evacuate, and they are claiming that a ground invasion is imminent. Reservists are now being called up, and Canada is allowing them to join the Israeli military. [5]

According to Defense for Children International 1837 palestinian children have been killed. More than 4600 children are enduring injuries in the hospitals. [2] Gazans are facing a relentless bombardment, and even hospitals have become targets. [2] Buildings have been reduced to rubble in a domino effect, with 6,000 tons of bombs dropped in Gaza. In this context, the involvement of Canadian citizens aiding the Israeli military, which is alleged to be committing crimes against humanity, raises significant ethical and humanitarian concerns. 

Earlier this week, 801 scholars focusing on international law and conflict studies sounded the alarm about an impending genocide. [3] New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights released a report which says, “there is a plausible and credible case, based on powerful factual evidence, that Israel is attempting to commit, if not actively committing, the crime of genocide” of Palestinian people. [4]

It is important to note that these reservists are leaving to join the Israeli Defense Forces with the intent of engaging in actions that could be seen as promoting ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza. This is happening with the apparent knowledge and tacit approval of the Canadian government. In supporting such actions, the Canadian government may be implicating itself in potential war crimes. Consequently, in the future, the Canadian government could face direct accusations of committing war crimes.

Canadian law comprehensively addresses the involvement of its citizens in war crimes and crimes against humanity, as defined under international law. Key legal provisions include: 


  • The Criminal Code of Canada which criminalizes acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes; 
  • The International Crimes and International Criminal Court Implementation Act, which aligns Canadian law with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
  • Extraterritorial jurisdiction allowing prosecution for international crimes committed abroad and adherence to international agreements and treaties, such as the Geneva Conventions. 

In essence, Canada's legal framework ensures that Canadian citizens engaged in such heinous acts can be prosecuted and held accountable, reflecting a commitment to combating impunity for serious international crimes.

Justice For All calls on the Canadian government to:


  1. Collaborate with global institutions to demand an immediate ceasefire by the Israeli government and publicly condemn Israeli aggression in Gaza;
  2. Urge the initiation of parliamentary investigations to determine if Israeli actions against Gazans under siege qualify as genocide;
  3. Support independent investigations by the International Criminal Court & International Court of Justice into violations of international law by all parties to the war;
  4. Inform Canadian reservists in the Israeli Defense Forces about the potential consequences of participating in acts that may constitute war crimes and genocide.

References

[1] https://globalnews.ca/news/10022028/israel-hamas-canadian-reservists/ 
[2] https://x.com/DCIPalestine/status/1716107108997865630?s=20 
[3] https://twailr.com/public-statement-scholars-warn-of-potential-genocide-in-gaza/ 
[4] https://ccrjustice.org/sites/default/files/attach/2023/10/Israels-Unfolding-Crime_ww.pdf 
[5] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/damning-evidence-of-war-crimes-as-israeli-attacks-wipe-out-entire-families-in-gaza/
Justice for All Canada
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Mississauga, Ontario, L4Z 4C4​
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