As Israel announces 5700 new illegal housing units in West Bank – Canada expresses “grave concern” (but won’t actually “do” anything)

The Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. More than 400,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank alongside more than 2.6 million Palestinians. According to the UN – all Israeli settlements in the WB are illegal. Credit…Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters

Canada has significantly increased its rhetorical opposition to Israeli construction of new illegal settlements in the West Bank over the last six months.

Last February, when Israel announced it would construct new settlements, Minister Joly said that she was ‘concerned“.

Last week, after Israel announced that it would build another 5700 units, Mme Joly said she was “deeply concerned” and “gravely concerned.“

What is the difference between being “concerned” and “deeply concerned”? This heightened rhetoric might lead Canadians to believe that Canada would finally DO something in response to this most recent illegal Israeli move.

Unfortunately, not so.

This is particularly disappointing in view of the fact that only 2 weeks ago, a group of well respected retired Heads of State and Internationally prominent persons (called “The Elders”) called for the international community to begin to apply “serious enforceable measures’ on Israel.

What could Canada do?

Canada has little leverage in the Middle East, but there are some small “serious enforceable measures” which Canada could take unilaterally which might make Israel take notice. Here are 3 suggestions:

  • Canada could begin to label products produced illegally in the West Bank as “Produce of Palestine” rather than “Produce of Israel
  • Canada could impose a visa on any Israeli settler living in the West Bank who wants to come to Canada. (At the moment Israeli settlers not only don’t need a Canadian visa, but they are free to visit Parliament Hill to lobby members of Parliament. In contrast, Canada makes it very difficult for Palestinians to get visas to come here.)
  • Canada could invite the Chair and/or the Co chair of the ‘Elders’ to come to Canada to discuss their report with parliamentarians.

What can YOU do?

If you think Canada should do more than express “concern” or even “grave concern. If you think Canada should actually DO something to show Israel we don’t approve of its actions:

  • Share this post with your friends.
  • send this blog post your MP. Tell him/her that you think that Canada can do better. (The email address of your MP is firstname.lastname@parl.gc.ca)

Canada Talks Israel Palestine (CTIP) is the weekly newsletter of Peter Larson, Chair of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion in Canada about Canada’s response to the complicated and emotional Israel/Palestine issue with a focus on the truth, clear analysis and human rights for all. Readers with different points of view are invited to make comment.
Want to learn more about us? Go to Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine.ca

8 comments

  1. Peter, I’m glad to see that you finally came around and that you now support the two state solution. You’l find liberal zionists to be enthusiastic supporters of the steps you listed above, as part of a comprehensive two state solution that would lead to two states living peacefully side by side, with the descendants of 1948 refugees able to exercise their right of return to the Palestinian state

    1. Hey Ahik,
      I love your sense of humour.
      I think I have told you that I don’t think there IS a two state solution. I don’t personally care what administrative form results – one state, two states, three, etc. I do care about equality, democracy and human rights. And until those are resolved, Canada should act to bring pressure on Israel.
      Thanks for brightening my day.

    2. Dear Mr. Ahik
      You forgot the part about everybody, Jews and non-Jews being able to return to the places they were expelled from. BTW, did you read the new book which documents how Zionists or people they hired exploded bombs in Jewish communities in Arab countries to frighten Jews so that they would move to Israel.

  2. I’m following the current events in Jenin with horror. The contrasting coverage (Al Jazeera, Mondoweiss, Electronic Intifada, etc. vs the Cdn and US mainstream media) is striking. Only the former talk about the Israeli assaults (tear gas) on hospitals, for example, considered illegal under int’l law.
    And all Canada, the US and EU can do is express concern? Sadly, it is likely to take a major atrocity (worse than what’s already happened) for our governments to DO something? And only then, the Cdn government will follow the actions (or lack thereof) of the US and EU. What are we scared of?

  4. Hi Peter,

    I have posted this to my Facebook page and will forward it to my MP,
    Leah Gazan, although she is already a supporter.

    Great work as always,

    Susan

  6. These are good suggestions Peter. However considering the recent assault on the Jenin Refugee Camp by Israeli forces, a ban by Canada on exports of military hardware and weapons to Israel might send a stronger message.

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