Finally Canada came out for a ceasefire at the UN!!! It joined 153 other nations opposing the US-enabled Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people. Public pressure by thousands of Canadians worked. Read more….
Yes, public pressure does work. Not just the dozens of huge demonstrations in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. But the demonstrations across the country – Iqaluit, London and Calgary. Not just demonstrations, but letters, petitions, delegations. Some high schools held bake sales. Statements from the UN Secretary General. A one day strike. Some people withdrawing funding from the Liberal Party. It all added up. There were even some acts of non violent civil disobedience
Canada voted for a ceasefire.
Before the vote, Trudeau issued a joint statement with Australia and New Zealand calling for a “sustainable” ceasefire along with a call for the release of the remaining hostages. A statement with “like minded” countries is a useful way for middle sized countries to protect themselves against the inevitable anger of some others.
The statement was followed by Canada voting against both Israel and the USA – a rare and brave move. The National Council of Canadian Muslims called the move a “tiny step in the right direction”.
A tiny step maybe, but some of the Israel lobby organizations that are used to having the Liberal government follow their wishes are very angry.
So will Canada be a proponent of justice for the Palestinians from here on in?
Well not quite. The joint statement is a classic example of “on the one hand – on the other hand” -ism. While giving some support to the cause of justice for the Palestinians, at least half of the statement was a condemnation of Hamas and a defense of Israel’s right to defend itself. Almost every sentence showing sympathy or concern for Palestinians was immediately balanced in the next phrase by an equal statement defending Israel. In short, a jumble of contradictions.
But the most glaring contradiction in the joint statement was this one:
“There is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza,“ read the statement, followed immediately by this jarring non sequitur: “We support Palestinians’ right to self-determination.”
Apparently for Trudeau and the other prime ministers, self determination does not include the right to choose your own government!! This is especially problematic today when most observers think Hamas would be a lot more popular with Palestinians than the powerless Palestinian Authority.
The work is not finished yet. The next step, surely, has to be to call for human rights for Palestinians and the end of the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Public pressure does work. Demonstrations help.
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
Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 
Hello Peter,
I shared my opinion on this call for ceasefire earlier today and I would to pass it on given your article.
=============================== https://x.com/melaniejoly/status/1734738220036841806?s=46
If you listen to the press release from Melanie Joly above, the move from Canada is not a change of heart for the Palestinian civilians or a response to public pressure. It is a political move orchestrated by the US admins to create a political exit plan after realizing that Israel will not have military resolution or victory. The language used in the statement affirms the Zionists interest and protect it from the right-wing damage. Connect these statements with Biden’s statements earlier today and you will see they are coordinated messages.
Then hear Bob Rae slipping comment here
https://x.com/jakeetsingh/status/1734707172850766219?s=46
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I agree we need to continue to advocate and challenge. But let us not be naive, sadly, public pressure was not enough to make a change.
Aiman
Well said, Peter. The joint statement is a jumble of contradictions, but it is, as the NCCM said, a tiny step in the right direction. And it is indisputably the result of grass roots pressure as our government, like so many others, has not demonstrated any interest in doing the right thing for the right reasons. Left to their own devices, they would continue to ignore the plight of the Palestinian people as they have done for decades. As for excluding Hamas from the day after, so typical of the West. For generations, since before the Balfour Declaration, they have been telling the Palestinians, “We know what’s best for you.”
Here’s another piece we need to pressure our government on. I hope this works.
It’s a letter asking Revenue Canada to revoke ‘charitable’ status from payments to Canadians who join the IDF in their genocidal actions.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/write-a-letter-to-canada-revenue-agency-no-subsidies-for-war-crimes-investigate-heseg-foundation?delivery_id=95372093
I noted Palau abstained. Apparently, there are limits to even chequebook diplomacy.
May peace with justice prevail.
Let’s not forget that Trudeau called Netanyahu before the voting, to coordinate and ask for forgiveness.