Calling for Canada’s Redemption and Support of ICC Israeli Arrest Pursuit
May 21st 2024
Justice for All Canada firmly stands behind the recent applications by the International Criminal Court (ICC) aimed at holding Israeli authorities accountable for their ongoing and egregious violations of international humanitarian law against the Palestinian people. The ICC Prosecutor, Mr. Karim Khan, has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The Israeli actions, which include unlawful killings, forced displacement, arbitrary detention, and severe restrictions on basic human rights, constitute crimes against humanity. The ICC’s mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity is crucial for a robust legal response to Israel’s abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories, and a justified step towards ensuring justice for the Palestinian people.
"Amid the ICC’s strides towards accountability, Canada's steadfast alignment with Israel raises ethical questions about the unequal application of human rights standards and persistent bias, highlighting a concerning tolerance for passivity towards Palestinians despite ongoing egregious violations by the Israeli government,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice for All Canada. “After the government failed to support the ICJ case, Canada has an opportunity to redeem itself by advocating for the ICC pursuit of arrests for Israeli leaders for their killing campaign on Palestinians,” added Ghayyur.
Justice for All Canada’s Chicago-based head office has previously made submissions to the ICC concerning the Israeli regime. One submission was filed for the destruction of the Al Basma center, where 4,000 embryos and 1,000 eggs of Palestinian families were destroyed by Israeli shelling. Their work continues.
The current situation in Gaza is beyond dire, with ongoing violations and devastating impacts on the civilian population. According to reports, at least 35,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict escalated. There have been numerous instances of attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. Nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank.
For decades, Palestinians have been subjected to systematic oppression. The unlawful killings of civilians, including children, journalists, and medics, as reported by Amnesty, demonstrate excessive and often lethal force used by Israeli forces. The demolition of homes and forced displacement of Palestinian families, without due process or notice, are reflected in the ongoing campaign to disenfranchise and subjugate the Palestinian population. Furthermore, the arbitrary detention and torture of thousands of Palestinians, including minors, in Israeli prisons without charge or fair trial, continues today. The current blockade of Gaza also restricts access to essential resources, creating a humanitarian crisis that amounts to collective punishment.
Justice For All Canada levels the following demands to Canada’s government:
ACTION ALERT! Urge Canada to Support ICC Independence and Arrest Warrant Application for Israeli War Crimes
Justice for All Canada firmly stands behind the recent applications by the International Criminal Court (ICC) aimed at holding Israeli authorities accountable for their ongoing and egregious violations of international humanitarian law against the Palestinian people. The ICC Prosecutor, Mr. Karim Khan, has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The Israeli actions, which include unlawful killings, forced displacement, arbitrary detention, and severe restrictions on basic human rights, constitute crimes against humanity. The ICC’s mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity is crucial for a robust legal response to Israel’s abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories, and a justified step towards ensuring justice for the Palestinian people.
"Amid the ICC’s strides towards accountability, Canada's steadfast alignment with Israel raises ethical questions about the unequal application of human rights standards and persistent bias, highlighting a concerning tolerance for passivity towards Palestinians despite ongoing egregious violations by the Israeli government,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice for All Canada. “After the government failed to support the ICJ case, Canada has an opportunity to redeem itself by advocating for the ICC pursuit of arrests for Israeli leaders for their killing campaign on Palestinians,” added Ghayyur.
Justice for All Canada’s Chicago-based head office has previously made submissions to the ICC concerning the Israeli regime. One submission was filed for the destruction of the Al Basma center, where 4,000 embryos and 1,000 eggs of Palestinian families were destroyed by Israeli shelling. Their work continues.
The current situation in Gaza is beyond dire, with ongoing violations and devastating impacts on the civilian population. According to reports, at least 35,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict escalated. There have been numerous instances of attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. Nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank.
For decades, Palestinians have been subjected to systematic oppression. The unlawful killings of civilians, including children, journalists, and medics, as reported by Amnesty, demonstrate excessive and often lethal force used by Israeli forces. The demolition of homes and forced displacement of Palestinian families, without due process or notice, are reflected in the ongoing campaign to disenfranchise and subjugate the Palestinian population. Furthermore, the arbitrary detention and torture of thousands of Palestinians, including minors, in Israeli prisons without charge or fair trial, continues today. The current blockade of Gaza also restricts access to essential resources, creating a humanitarian crisis that amounts to collective punishment.
Justice For All Canada levels the following demands to Canada’s government:
- Support the ICC’s investigations and take concrete actions to hold Israel accountable. This includes ending military aid and trade agreements that contribute to these violations and imposing targeted sanctions against those responsible.
- Take a firm stance against the impunity enjoyed by Israeli authorities and advocate for accountability at all levels.
- Advocate for Palestinian rights to self-determination, the right of return, and reparations for the injustices they have suffered.
- Recognize and uphold the International Criminal Court's independence and jurisdiction in addressing human rights violations in Gaza.
ACTION ALERT! Urge Canada to Support ICC Independence and Arrest Warrant Application for Israeli War Crimes