Highlighting UN Vote to End to Israeli Occupation: A Missed Opportunity for Canada to Stand for Justice
September 18th, 2024
Justice For All Canada welcomes today’s vote by the UN General Assembly, which reaffirms the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and demands its withdrawal from the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem within 12 months. With 124 votes in favour, this resolution reflects the international community's demand to put an end to the long-standing, globally recognized violations of Palestinian rights. Justice For All Canada is deeply disappointed by Canada's continued pattern of voting against or abstaining from UN resolutions on Palestine, a stance reaffirmed by today’s abstention. Canada's disappointing decision to abstain from the vote demonstrates the government’s lack of willingness to stand firmly for justice at this crucial juncture in history.
Today’s historic resolution is a response to an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) this past July, which ruled categorically that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories since 1967 is illegal. In its advisory opinion, the ICJ stated that the UN General Assembly and Security Council “should consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end as rapidly as possible the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The resolution which passed today denounces Israel's territorial expansion policies, stating that no country can acquire territory by force. It also calls for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces and the evacuation of settlers within 12 months, and demands sanctions against people and organizations involved in upholding Israel's illegal presence. Additionally, the resolution seeks reparations for the harm that the illegal occupation has caused Palestinians, and calls for an end to all military and financial support that directly fuels the occupation.
The resolution also critically highlights provisions vital to target the financial and military enablers of Israel’s occupation, calling on states to halt the importation of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements. We reiterate the essential importance of dismantling the economic infrastructure that sustains and perpetuates Israel’s unlawful occupation. The resolution also demands that arms transfers to Israel cease, especially where they will be used to further repress Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Sadly, the Canadian government remains selective in its application of justice and international law when it comes to the Palestinian people. Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, made troubling remarks criticizing the resolution. Rae cited Israel's security concerns as a reason for abstaining from the vote, however the ICJ and the resolution itself have made it clear that these security concerns do not permit the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. The ICJ advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s settlements is unconditional, meaning that Israel is not permitted to negotiate which occupied lands and how many settlements it can retain. The only question is the method by which Israel is to completely end its illegal occupation and evacuate all the illegal settlements and settlers “as rapidly as possible”.
Moreover, Rae sought to reaffirm Canada's position on Israel’s "right to defend itself against any form of terrorism." However, this argument overlooks the fact that the ICJ has ruled that Israel, as an occupying power, cannot claim self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter against a territory it occupies. Finally, Ambassador Rae made the suggestion that the resolution “aligns with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement,” which he stated Canada “firmly opposes”. This statement undermines efforts to enforce international law and end Israel’s unlawful occupation using feasible policy measures, such as sanctions. We remind Ambassador Rae that applying human rights should never be seen as "isolating" any state as he claimed, but rather as upholding the principles of justice and equality that are fundamental to peace. By abstaining, Canada once again evaded its responsibility to aptly defend Palestinians facing indiscriminate persecution by the Israeli state.
For too long, Canada and the international community have tolerated Israel’s flagrant violations of international law at the direct expense of the Palestinian people’s dignity and rights. Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine only serves to exacerbate the suffering of millions of people by depriving them of their basic rights to freedom, security, and self-determination. It also clearly violates the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the acquisition of land through war.
We call on all nations, including Canada and its allies, to take concrete steps to enforce this resolution by ceasing military cooperation with Israel, ending economic activities that support the occupation, and using diplomatic pressure to ensure that Israel complies with international law. Anything less would be a disservice to the millions of Palestinians who continue to live under occupation, facing daily violence, displacement, and deprivation.
Justice For All Canada welcomes today’s vote by the UN General Assembly, which reaffirms the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and demands its withdrawal from the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem within 12 months. With 124 votes in favour, this resolution reflects the international community's demand to put an end to the long-standing, globally recognized violations of Palestinian rights. Justice For All Canada is deeply disappointed by Canada's continued pattern of voting against or abstaining from UN resolutions on Palestine, a stance reaffirmed by today’s abstention. Canada's disappointing decision to abstain from the vote demonstrates the government’s lack of willingness to stand firmly for justice at this crucial juncture in history.
Today’s historic resolution is a response to an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) this past July, which ruled categorically that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories since 1967 is illegal. In its advisory opinion, the ICJ stated that the UN General Assembly and Security Council “should consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end as rapidly as possible the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The resolution which passed today denounces Israel's territorial expansion policies, stating that no country can acquire territory by force. It also calls for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces and the evacuation of settlers within 12 months, and demands sanctions against people and organizations involved in upholding Israel's illegal presence. Additionally, the resolution seeks reparations for the harm that the illegal occupation has caused Palestinians, and calls for an end to all military and financial support that directly fuels the occupation.
The resolution also critically highlights provisions vital to target the financial and military enablers of Israel’s occupation, calling on states to halt the importation of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements. We reiterate the essential importance of dismantling the economic infrastructure that sustains and perpetuates Israel’s unlawful occupation. The resolution also demands that arms transfers to Israel cease, especially where they will be used to further repress Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Sadly, the Canadian government remains selective in its application of justice and international law when it comes to the Palestinian people. Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, made troubling remarks criticizing the resolution. Rae cited Israel's security concerns as a reason for abstaining from the vote, however the ICJ and the resolution itself have made it clear that these security concerns do not permit the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. The ICJ advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s settlements is unconditional, meaning that Israel is not permitted to negotiate which occupied lands and how many settlements it can retain. The only question is the method by which Israel is to completely end its illegal occupation and evacuate all the illegal settlements and settlers “as rapidly as possible”.
Moreover, Rae sought to reaffirm Canada's position on Israel’s "right to defend itself against any form of terrorism." However, this argument overlooks the fact that the ICJ has ruled that Israel, as an occupying power, cannot claim self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter against a territory it occupies. Finally, Ambassador Rae made the suggestion that the resolution “aligns with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement,” which he stated Canada “firmly opposes”. This statement undermines efforts to enforce international law and end Israel’s unlawful occupation using feasible policy measures, such as sanctions. We remind Ambassador Rae that applying human rights should never be seen as "isolating" any state as he claimed, but rather as upholding the principles of justice and equality that are fundamental to peace. By abstaining, Canada once again evaded its responsibility to aptly defend Palestinians facing indiscriminate persecution by the Israeli state.
For too long, Canada and the international community have tolerated Israel’s flagrant violations of international law at the direct expense of the Palestinian people’s dignity and rights. Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine only serves to exacerbate the suffering of millions of people by depriving them of their basic rights to freedom, security, and self-determination. It also clearly violates the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the acquisition of land through war.
We call on all nations, including Canada and its allies, to take concrete steps to enforce this resolution by ceasing military cooperation with Israel, ending economic activities that support the occupation, and using diplomatic pressure to ensure that Israel complies with international law. Anything less would be a disservice to the millions of Palestinians who continue to live under occupation, facing daily violence, displacement, and deprivation.