By Dave McKee
So, Canada has signed another joint statement urging Israel to end its war on Gaza.
“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” “The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable.” “Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international law.”
All true, without question. To read the quotes in the news, you’d think that the government had actually done something. But in reality, Ottawa and its mostly European co-signatories have said very little and committed to even less.
Issued 21 months – nearly two years – into Israel’s genocidal campaign that has murdered 60,000 Palestinians, wounded 140,000, forcibly displaced 2 million and brought 600,000 to the brink of systemic starvation, the joint statement is notable for what it doesn’t say.
Nothing about the duration of Israel’s attacks. No mention of overall deaths or displacement figures. Zero reference to Israeli occupying forces. Not one single use of the word genocide.
Furthermore, rather than concrete actions on behalf of the Palestinian people they (finally) express some concern for, the signatories merely mouth an enfeebled threat that “We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.”
They don’t talk about sanctions or arms embargoes. They steer well clear of mentioning support for the International Court of Justice call for states to recognize the illegality of Israel’s presence and not support the occupation. They don’t even mention the possibility that they might consider expelling Israeli diplomats.
When it comes to Ukraine, politicians in Ottawa are tripping over themselves to be the first in line to denounce the (soundly debunked) Holodomor. Then, they race each other to the pulpit to condemn China for the (soundly debunked) genocide of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
But faced with an actual genocide, one that has been continuing for nearly two years and that has been verified by the International Court of Justice, the best the Canadian government can come up with is the threat to maybe take further action.
Other countries and peoples have taken a different, more principled approach. South Africa initiated the case before ICJ which considered Israel’s actions in Gaza and determined that they constituted genocide. The Cuban president has led Palestine solidarity marches in Havana and has publicly demanded that “the genocide stop now.” Belize, Bolivia, Colombia and Nicaragua severed diplomatic relations with Israel while Bahrain, Chad, Chile, Honduras, Jordan, South Africa and Turkey recalled their ambassadors from Israel. And the Houthis in Yemen blockaded the Red Sea to prevent passage of Israel-linked ships until the war on Gaza ended.
The time for statements to Israel has long passed. Ottawa needs to take real concrete action that includes:
- Sanctioning all Israeli leaders and military personnel responsible for war crimes, including but not limited to the ongoing genocide in Gaza;
- Imposing a comprehensive, two-way arms embargo on Israel now;
- Cancelling the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement and ceasing all trade relations with Israel that maintain or contribute to the occupation;
- Prohibiting Canadian charities from financing activities associated with Israel’s occupation;
- Reversing all actions which have demonized and criminalized Palestine solidarity, including by rescinding all statements and decisions which equate criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
[Photo: Wafa News Agency]
Support working-class media!
If you found this article useful, please consider donating to People’s Voice or purchasing a subscription so that you get every issue of Canada’s leading socialist publication delivered to your door or inbox!
For over 100 years, we have been 100% reader-supported, with no corporate or government funding.
