Since October 7th, 2023, Gaza has endured relentless and indiscriminate bombardment by Israeli military forces, resulting in the killings of over 43,000 Palestinians, including more than 16,700 children and injuring over 101,000. That is more the number of children killed in 12 months, than in four years of wars around the world combined. According to the Lancet Media Journal, the true death toll is likely to be more than 186,000 people from the combined effects of Israel's attacks.

The unprecedented situation has reached a critical point, with Gaza's infrastructure, hospitals, and shelters targeted. This unyielding aggression calls for urgent attention and coordinated efforts, especially from the Canadian government, to secure a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis. Canada, bound by its obligations under international law and as a member of the United Nations and the Genocide Convention, holds a crucial role in advocating for the immediate cessation of hostilities and ensuring the protection of civilian lives in Gaza. The next steps for the Canadian government include holding Israel accountable for its crimes against Humanity, actively supporting and encouraging the implementation of the measures granted by the ICJ and working with world leaders to end the siege on Gaza.​

Attacks on Gaza

Given the nature of the ongoing crisis, it is challenging for human rights groups to stay updated with the rapidly changing situation. While it is impossible to describe the suffering of Palestinian civilians, below represents a summary of the devastating civilian and institutional toll emerging from the regions of Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. 

International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Israeli war criminals.

In May 2024, the ICC (International Criminal Court) Chief Prosecutor submitted an application for warrants of arrest for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the defence minister at the time, Yoav Gallant. 

On November 21st, the ICC issued the warrants of arrests for both Israeli officials for their war crimes and crimes against humanity. The warrants were issued on the grounds that they both have deliberately harmed civilians in Palestine and used hunger as a weapon of war. 

"The Chamber found that their conduct led to the disruption of the ability of humanitarian organisations to provide food and other essential goods to the population in need in Gaza."

"In addition, by intentionally limiting or preventing medical supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, in particular anaesthetics and anaesthesia machines, the two individuals are also responsible for inflicting great suffering by means of inhumane acts on persons in need of treatment."

Justice For All Canada welcomes this decision by the ICC and is urging the Canadian government to take a stand for Justice by supporting this case. On the same day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said "we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts". We want to see a stronger stance in support of the Palestinian people and concrete action from the Canadian government in holding these war criminals accountable. 

1,000 Canadian Academics Demand Immediate Ceasefire as Gaza’s Educational Institutions and Wider Communities Face Destruction

62% of all homes in Gaza are destroyed. That is equivalent to 290,820 housing units. 378 Schools and all 12 universities in Gaza destroyed, leaving thousands of students without access to education and killing over 100 Palestinian Academics.

On the one-year anniversary of Israel’s deadly escalation of violence in Gaza, over 1,000 Canadian professors, students, and scholars united to call on university and college leaders as well as the Federal government for an immediate ceasefire in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Organized by Justice For All Canada in partnership with Canadian Palestinian advocates and academic leaders, the joint letter, addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and signed by members of Canada’s academic community, condemns the ongoing targeting of academic institutions and the broader Palestinian population, which continues to face deadly attacks from Israeli military forces. You can read our official statement here.

Our Demands to the Canadian Government

​Justice For All Canada vehemently denounces the Israeli military’s continued violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Gaza and continues to advocate on the ground and at the state level for an end to the Genocide and apartheid.

To address these egregious violations of international law and prevent further atrocities, Justice For All Canada urgently calls for immediate implementation of the following measures:

Amplify Your Impact: Demand Justice for Palestine!​

Take Action Now—These initiatives prepared by Justice for All Canada are opportunities to lend your solidarity to Palestinians, condemn the ongoing crimes against humanity committed by Israel, and demand action from Canada. Holding onto hope is not just essential; it is an act of resilience. Our persistent engagement in these targeted actions exerts sustained pressure on the Canadian government required to reshape policies and narratives. Participate to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent further acts of genocide.

Demand Canada Cancels Arms Permits to Israel
Demand Canadian Universities to Divest

Ceasefire

Justice For All Canada expresses 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 on December 12th, 2023. Your collective dedication and advocacy have played a crucial role in amplifying the call for justice and the protection of innocent lives. Our work is far from over. Now we must continue to demand our government to hold Israel accountable for war crimes and demand Justice for Palestine

ICJ: Genocide Case Against Israel

REPORT: Critical Analysis of ICJ Order over Israeli Genocide in Occupied Palestine​

The following report presents a comprehensive analysis of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s provisional measures order from January 26th, 2024, regarding the Israeli military aggression in Gaza. It highlights that the ICJ recognized a plausible case for genocide in Gaza, and ordered several interim measures ahead of a full trial on the merits. Using a human rights standpoint, the report assesses implications for humanitarian aid and ceasefire initiatives, followed by urgent recommendations for action to the Government of Canada to advance peace and accountability in the region.​

REPORT: Addressing Mass Incarceration, Ill-Treatment, and Weaponization of Emergency Prison Law for Palestinian Prisoners

This report outlines the alarming escalation of human rights violations against Palestinian prisoners within the Israeli prison system, including children, women, the elderly, and the disabled. Since October 7th, the enactment of emergency prison laws by the Israeli parliament has intensified arbitrary arrests, administrative detentions without formal charges, and systemic mistreatment of prisoners, including torture and enforced disappearances. Israel’s mass incarceration campaign has significantly increased and has led to a surge in detentions across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel, subjecting detainees to deplorable conditions and denying them essential medical care.

Canada’s Inadequate response to ICJ

​Call on Prime Minister Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly to publicly support the ICJ's ruling and pressure Israel to comply with its orders. Sign our petition urging Canada to uphold justice and accountability in Palestine. Canada's reluctance to support South Africa's application and its lack of endorsement of the ICJ's ruling insults the credibility of the ICJ and makes Canada complicit in actions that go against core values historically championed on the international stage. As a signatory of the Genocide Convention, Canada bears the responsibility to prevent genocide. 

Israel: An Apartheid State

In 2022, human rights groups and experts formally implicated Israel as being responsible for committing the crime of apartheid against the people of Palestine in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Amnesty defines apartheid as “inhumane acts carried out in an institutionalized regime that systematically oppresses and dominates one racial group over another.” The crimes against humanity experienced by Palestinians are prohibited under the Apartheid Convention, the Rome Statute, including other customary international human rights laws. The Canadian government has not acknowledged these reports, nor has it ever acknowledged or condemned Israel’s cruel system of dominance over the Palestinian people. 
​
Israel's apartheid policies in the occupied region have resulted in severe human rights violations:

ISOLATION

Through mechanisms of confining and concentrating, Israel has created isolation in Palestinian communities, restricting their movement and connection.

FRAGMENTATION

The imposition of laws and policies has deliberately fractured the collective identity of Palestinians, politically and territorially.

DISPOSSESSION

Israeli forces have illegally seized properties, demolished homes, and forcibly evicted Palestinian homeowners, leading to widespread dispossession.

SEGREGATION

Systemic separation enforced by Israel perpetuates discrimination and fosters sense of inferiority among Palestinians.

OPPRESSION

The events of May 2021 reflect longstanding discrimination, repression of dissent, use of force, prioritizing interests of Jewish Israelis at the expense of Palestinians.

DOMINATION

 Israel's policies explicitly aim to maximize Jewish control over land, establishing system of domination that exacerbates disparities between communities.

DISCRIMINATORY LEGAL SYSTEM

Israel's legal system in the occupied territories imposes discriminatory practices, treating Palestinians differently than Jewish settlers.

UNEQUAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION

Unequal distribution of resources, such as water and infrastructure development, disproportionately favours Israeli settlements while neglecting Palestinian communities.

EDUCATION RESTRICTIONS

Palestinians face restrictions on access to education, with disparities in funding, quality, and opportunities compared to Israeli citizens.

LIMITED FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

Palestinians often encounter restrictions on freedom of movement, including checkpoints, barriers, and segregated roads hindering daily life.

LAND CONFISCATION

Ongoing land confiscation and expansion of Israeli settlements contribute to displacement of Palestinian communities, exacerbating the apartheid-like conditions.

ARBITRARY DETENTION

Palestinians, including children, often face arbitrary arrests and detentions, with a legal system devoid of process and fair trials.

Resources 

  1. Amnesty 90 Minute Course: Deconstructing Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians 
  2. Thirteen Human Rights Demands by MP Jagmeet Singh to Canadian Government 
  3. Amnesty report: Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians - Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity  
  4. Report: Force Population Transfer & The Case of Palestine by BADIL Resource Centre 
  5. Human Rights Watch Report: A Threshold Crossed - Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution