The news from Gaza that Israel has resumed indiscriminate bombing of the civilian population is horrifying. The death toll, more than 400 people in less than 24 hours, is beyond comprehension. There can be no justification for this violence, or any semblance of political or military support from Canada. Nothing less than an immediate two-way arms embargo on Israel is an acceptable response by the Government of Canada.
While there is no question that Israel has now shattered the fragile January 19 ceasefire, the truth is they have been violating the agreement for weeks. Before bombing resumed, Israel reestablished a blockade and prevented food, medicine, water, fuel and humanitarian aid from entering Gaza.
Human Rights Watch raised the alarm in 2024 that Israel’s use of starvation as a method of war is a war crime. UN expert Francesca Albanese warned this week that Palestinians face the risk of mass ethnic cleansing.
Close to 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, including thousands of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other essential healthcare workers. Hundreds more health sector workers remain in detention after being taken from their workplaces, such as hospitals and medical facilities.
This violence will never ensure the safety and security of the Palestinians or Israelis. We need a permanent ceasefire, the release of all political prisoners and hostages, an end to the siege on Gaza, and an end to the military occupation of the West Bank.
There is now little doubt that what is happening in Gaza is a genocide. International law experts, including Amnesty International, have called Israel’s actions genocidal. Western nations continue to be complicit.
As a party to the UN Genocide Convention, Canada has an obligation to “employ all reasonable means” to prevent and punish the crime of genocide wherever it occurs. We are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to hold Israel accountable, and to impose a full and immediate arms embargo.