Canada’s Statement Fails to Promise Concrete Protections for Palestinians Undergoing Apartheid Crimes
February 17th, 2023
Justice For All Canada upholds a rare statement made by Canada’s government concerning renewed Israeli apartheid-like crimes against Palestinians. Canada supported US, UK, German and Italian allies condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorization of 9 settler outposts in the occupied West Bank. Israel’s government also announced the illegal mass construction of 1,000 new homes in Palestinian-established settlements.
“Expanding settlements into the West Bank violates the Fourth Geneva Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute of the ICC. Under these laws, Canada’s statement falls embarrassingly short of prohibiting the transfer of Israeli occupational civilians into the Palestinian territory it occupies,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada. “As a founding UN member, we expect Canada to oppose Israeli war crimes and agree to support numerous UN Security Council resolutions deeming Israel’s settlement expansion a direct breach of international law,” explained Ghayyur.
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made this disturbing statement revealing his government’s hardline sentiments towards eliminating Palestinian presence: “This is our mission. This is our doctrine… 9 settlements is nice but it’s still not enough. We want much more.”
The new government in Israel also published a list of “guiding principles” stating: “The Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop the settlement of all parts of the Land of Israel (including Occupied Territories).”
Justice For All Canada highlights international legal violations and the human impact arising from further Israeli settlement expansion:
According to an Israeli NGO, 132 settlements have been established on occupied Palestinian land since 1967. Israeli settler businesses also receive benefits under the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA), giving them economic incentives for ongoing illegal settlement activity.
Canada & Israel
Such Israeli policies have led Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to declare Israel an apartheid state.
So far, the Canadian government has refused to recognize any NGO report categorizing Israel’s crimes against Palestinians as amounting to apartheid.
Justice For All Canada endorses critical human rights recommendations made by Canadian NGO Canadians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East (CPJME):
Justice For All Canada upholds a rare statement made by Canada’s government concerning renewed Israeli apartheid-like crimes against Palestinians. Canada supported US, UK, German and Italian allies condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorization of 9 settler outposts in the occupied West Bank. Israel’s government also announced the illegal mass construction of 1,000 new homes in Palestinian-established settlements.
“Expanding settlements into the West Bank violates the Fourth Geneva Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute of the ICC. Under these laws, Canada’s statement falls embarrassingly short of prohibiting the transfer of Israeli occupational civilians into the Palestinian territory it occupies,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada. “As a founding UN member, we expect Canada to oppose Israeli war crimes and agree to support numerous UN Security Council resolutions deeming Israel’s settlement expansion a direct breach of international law,” explained Ghayyur.
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made this disturbing statement revealing his government’s hardline sentiments towards eliminating Palestinian presence: “This is our mission. This is our doctrine… 9 settlements is nice but it’s still not enough. We want much more.”
The new government in Israel also published a list of “guiding principles” stating: “The Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop the settlement of all parts of the Land of Israel (including Occupied Territories).”
Justice For All Canada highlights international legal violations and the human impact arising from further Israeli settlement expansion:
- Illegal confiscation of Palestinian land and resources, forced displacement of Palestinians, and restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinians.
- Reinforcing system of inequality and racism against Palestinians, where Israeli settlers receive privileges and protections not available to Palestinians living in the same area. This includes access to resources, infrastructure, and legal protections.
- Increased risk of violence against Palestinians, who are already marginalized and disadvantaged.
- Home demolitions: Israel’s government continues demolishing generational Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Authorities cited a lack of permits, despite it being nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain building permits, leading to a disproportionate impact on Palestinian communities.
- Evictions in East Jerusalem: The Israeli government has supported the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem, particularly in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. These evictions have sparked protests and anti-Palestinian violence in the region.
- Restrictions on Palestinian movement: The Israeli government has maintained a system of checkpoints, walls, and other restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank, which have a significant impact on the daily lives of Palestinians.
- Restrictions on Palestinian protests: The Israeli government has cracked down on Palestinians protesting against inhumane policies, using tear gas, rubber bullets, and other means to disperse crowds. This has led to injuries and deaths among Palestinian protesters, including the world’s largest number of minors in detention.
According to an Israeli NGO, 132 settlements have been established on occupied Palestinian land since 1967. Israeli settler businesses also receive benefits under the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA), giving them economic incentives for ongoing illegal settlement activity.
Canada & Israel
Such Israeli policies have led Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to declare Israel an apartheid state.
So far, the Canadian government has refused to recognize any NGO report categorizing Israel’s crimes against Palestinians as amounting to apartheid.
Justice For All Canada endorses critical human rights recommendations made by Canadian NGO Canadians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East (CPJME):
- We urge Canada to end its complicity by banning trade with Israel’s settlements;
- Canada must impose targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for the settlement policy.
- The Canadian government is responsible for responding to the rise of Israel’s far-right government by boycotting diplomatic relations and expelling Israel’s ambassador.