Liberal MPs have had mixed reactions to the federal government’s decision to support a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict without any conditions.
Some say they hope it will bring peace. Some say it is tantamount to Canada abandoning Israel, which is at war with extremists.
Some Liberal MPs object to the language of the UN resolution, which calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire but does not explicitly call for Hamas to lay down its arms.
The draft resolution states that “all parties” will “comply with their obligations under international law.”
However, the militant group Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization by many Western countries, including Canada, does not abide by international law. Some supporters of Israel say the text of the resolution imposes an undue burden on the country.
in fact, resolution The word “Hamas” is not even mentioned. Nor has it ruled out allowing Hamas to participate in the future government of the Gaza Strip.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly says the “cycle of violence” that has killed many innocent people and left countless Palestinians without water, food, fuel, medicine or shelter must be brought to an end. and defended the vote.
Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, said Canada is “alarmed by the decline in safe space for civilians” in the Gaza Strip as Israel moves further into the southern part of the strip to annihilate Hamas. said.
“The ongoing humanitarian crisis weighs heavily on Canada’s decision to support this resolution,” Ray said.
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favor of calling for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the immediate release of hostages, and the protection of all civilians. In a change of attitude since the start of the war, Canada voted in favor of an immediate cease-fire.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, a Jewish lawmaker who has emerged as a prominent voice for the community in his caucus, said he was “very disappointed” in Canada’s UN vote.
He said it was “unacceptable” for Canada to support a cease-fire motion that does not clearly state that Hamas must lay down its weapons and cease fighting with Israel.
Housefather said Hamas cannot be trusted, saying it broke an existing cease-fire when it launched a brutal attack on Israel on October 7, and a humanitarian aid agreement set up last month to get internal and external aid. accused extremist groups of violating the moratorium. The citizens and hostages will leave.
“The motion was a call for an unconditional ceasefire. I do not support a call for an unconditional ceasefire. I do not believe that a majority of my constituents support a call for an unconditional ceasefire. It is my duty to speak up when I think this is what is needed.”I have abandoned my traditional position at the United Nations to support Israel now that it is at war,” Hausfather said.
He said Israel “has been featured too often in international organizations.”
Hausfather said the “mixture of undemocratic countries” at the United Nations is frequently “targeted and stigmatized” and that Israel and Canada will stick to their normal practice of voting against resolutions of this type. He said he should have. Canada was offside against Israel and the United States, he added.
Housefather dodged questions about whether he could remain in the Liberal caucus, saying it was not the right time to discuss his future with the party he has called home since he was a teenager.
After Canada voted in favor of a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, Canada’s ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, said “we must strive” for a two-state solution. “The situation on the ground is changing. It’s getting worse and worse. We have to respond to it in a humane way,” Ray told Power & Politics.
In addition to supporting the UN resolution, Canada issued a joint statement with Australia and New Zealand clarifying the government’s position.
The three countries said they unequivocally condemn Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel and its “unacceptable treatment of hostages” taken that horrific day.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but added a number of provisions not included in the UN resolution.
“We cannot be unilateral. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields and lay down its weapons,” the two countries said.
“Hamas has no role in the future governance of Gaza. We emphasize that Gaza must no longer be used as a base for terrorism,” the countries said.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says he does not support a United Nations motion (which Canada voted in favor of) calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Housefather said Canada is contrary to its traditional position at the United Nations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated that message to reporters Wednesday ahead of question period.
He said Canada would join “urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire.”
However, he stressed that the ceasefire “must not be unilateral.”
“We need Hamas to lay down their weapons. We need to see Hamas release all the hostages,” Trudeau said.
After the US and UK announced on Wednesday that imposed additional sanctions Regarding Turkey and other people with ties to Hamas, Trudeau said Canada stands ready to use its own tools to “pressure Hamas to end its violence.” He did not mention any details.
Liberal MP Ben Kerr, a member of Winnipeg’s Jewish Caucus, said the joint statement from Canada, Australia and New Zealand was “fair” because it included further demands against Hamas.
“The U.N. resolution was insufficient,” Kerr said. “I did not condemn Hamas to the extent that I thought was necessary and justified.”
Muslim Liberal MP Salma Zahid, who represents a Toronto-area constituency, said she was “grateful” Canada voted in favor of the ceasefire.
Zahid’s Scarborough Center constituency has a large Muslim population, and she was one of the first to sign a letter from MPs urging the government to support a ceasefire.
“I look forward to Canada mobilizing international support to protect the innocent civilians being killed in Palestine and Gaza,” she said.
He said Canada’s vote is needed because the civilian death toll has reached unacceptable levels.
Liberal MP Salma Zahid says it’s “extremely difficult” to watch the horrific images of the Israel-Hamas war and hopes Canada can help mobilize international support to end the war. said.
Hamas-run health authorities suggest that around 18,000 people have been killed in Gaza so far, many of them civilians.
“As a mother, it has been very difficult for me to watch these photos come out over the last two months,” she said of the photos of Palestinian women struggling with the death of their children.
“This is about protecting innocent civilians. This is about protecting children. The worst thing a parent can do is bury their child, and we see many parents doing that. “I can’t sleep at night,” she said.
Government House Leader Karina Gould said the Liberal caucus has a diverse range of perspectives because it is “the only caucus that truly represents all aspects of Canadian society.”
“We are having tough conversations. We are listening seriously to everyone’s voice. Unlike other political parties that are one-sided, we want to unite people so that everyone has a voice.” “I’m trying to do that,” she said.
She acknowledged that Tuesday’s vote could have political implications.
“Even if you take a principled position, no one may be satisfied. There are very strong feelings on both sides of this conflict, and rightly so,” Gould said.
