Justice For All Canada's Reaction to Ceasefire Announcement
December 12th, 2023
We acknowledge Canada’s announcement of the ceasefire call, but it comes at a heavy cost — nearly 20,000 Palestinians were brutally killed, countless atrocities committed, and a region in turmoil. The Canadian government’s decision to support the ceasefire arrives shamefully late, following the tragic murders of thousands of Palestinian children, including a series of abstentions from voting on numerous critical UN resolutions advocating for the protection of Palestinians and a ceasefire. Additionally, Canada obstructed an ICC war crime investigation against Israel and resisted calls to cease arms sales to Israel. While we’ve joined human rights groups in advocating for today’s ceasefire announcement, it is crucial to confront the staggering toll Israel’s bombardment has taken on the people and communities of Palestine.
Canada's weak statement failed to call on Israeli authorities to stop hostilities and also fell short of condemning the indiscriminate killings, starvation, and other atrocities impacting vulnerable societal sectors such as women, girls and children. Canadians are shocked to see the government’s passive stance and celebration of this ceasefire call as a positive development for Palestine. We cannot ignore the evident genocide that has transpired, alongside Canada's reluctance to take a stronger stance for justice and human rights abuses facing marginalized communities across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Canadian government’s statement is also notably unbalanced, condemning attacks against Israelis vehemently while expressing mere 'concern' about the Palestinian lives lost. There is a stark contrast in addressing the suffering on both sides of the conflict.
Justice For All Canada extends heartfelt appreciation to Palestinian human rights defenders who, day and night, fervently called on Prime Minister Trudeau to take a resolute stand against the genocide of women, men and children in Gaza. We recognize and applaud the journalists, human rights activists, indigenous allies, Jewish allies, and Canadian citizens who, in the face of genocide, refused to stay silent and demonstrated commendable courage.
Additionally, we express gratitude to the thousands of action takers who actively engaged in UN-targeted action alerts, compelling Canada's UN representatives to vote for a ceasefire. Your collective dedication and advocacy have played a crucial role in amplifying the call for justice and the protection of innocent lives.
As a human rights advocacy organization focused on genocide prevention, we call for comprehensive and just next steps from the Canadian government, including;
We acknowledge Canada’s announcement of the ceasefire call, but it comes at a heavy cost — nearly 20,000 Palestinians were brutally killed, countless atrocities committed, and a region in turmoil. The Canadian government’s decision to support the ceasefire arrives shamefully late, following the tragic murders of thousands of Palestinian children, including a series of abstentions from voting on numerous critical UN resolutions advocating for the protection of Palestinians and a ceasefire. Additionally, Canada obstructed an ICC war crime investigation against Israel and resisted calls to cease arms sales to Israel. While we’ve joined human rights groups in advocating for today’s ceasefire announcement, it is crucial to confront the staggering toll Israel’s bombardment has taken on the people and communities of Palestine.
Canada's weak statement failed to call on Israeli authorities to stop hostilities and also fell short of condemning the indiscriminate killings, starvation, and other atrocities impacting vulnerable societal sectors such as women, girls and children. Canadians are shocked to see the government’s passive stance and celebration of this ceasefire call as a positive development for Palestine. We cannot ignore the evident genocide that has transpired, alongside Canada's reluctance to take a stronger stance for justice and human rights abuses facing marginalized communities across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Canadian government’s statement is also notably unbalanced, condemning attacks against Israelis vehemently while expressing mere 'concern' about the Palestinian lives lost. There is a stark contrast in addressing the suffering on both sides of the conflict.
Justice For All Canada extends heartfelt appreciation to Palestinian human rights defenders who, day and night, fervently called on Prime Minister Trudeau to take a resolute stand against the genocide of women, men and children in Gaza. We recognize and applaud the journalists, human rights activists, indigenous allies, Jewish allies, and Canadian citizens who, in the face of genocide, refused to stay silent and demonstrated commendable courage.
Additionally, we express gratitude to the thousands of action takers who actively engaged in UN-targeted action alerts, compelling Canada's UN representatives to vote for a ceasefire. Your collective dedication and advocacy have played a crucial role in amplifying the call for justice and the protection of innocent lives.
As a human rights advocacy organization focused on genocide prevention, we call for comprehensive and just next steps from the Canadian government, including;
- That these calls for a ceasefire should be a stepping stone toward addressing the root causes of the conflict.
- That immediate steps must be taken to condemn all forms of violence, particularly the disproportionate violence against Palestinians, to ensure accountability for atrocities and advocate for the protection of civilian lives.
- That immediate cessation of arms and military equipment sales from Canada to Israel. Canada must reassess its arms trade policies and halt any transactions that may contribute to human rights violations or breaches of international humanitarian law.
- That there should be urgent, adequate and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, water, fuel, medical supplies, equipment, including necessary provisions for pregnant women.
- That Canada must support rules-based international humanitarian law and justice mechanisms, including an independent investigation by the United Nations into the killing and kidnapping of civilians, journalists and healthcare workers, and into the bombing of hospitals and civilian infrastructure