In a letter sent August 13th to Prime Minister Trudeau, Reverend Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church of Canada calls on Trudeau to “to suspend relations with the State of Israel until it has complied with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)“. Read more.

On July 19th, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza to be illegal, and demanded that Israel abandon its settlements in the West Bank, that all settlers be evacuated back to Israel, and that Israel compensate Palestinians for damages done.

Importantly, it also called on all states members of the ICJ (including Canada) to take measures to enforce the ruling.

Nearly a month later, Canada has still done nothing to support the ruling of the court, as Reverend Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church of Canada points out in forceful remarks to the Prime Minister. The United Church has about 350,000 members all across Canada. It is widely recognized as having played an important role on a number of progressive issues including Truth and Reconciliation with Canada’s indigenous peoples, and LGBT rights.

“It has been almost a month since the ICJ issued its advisory opinion”, writes Reverend Blair. “In
sharp contrast to the advisory opinion’s calls for Israel to end its occupation, the military incursions and massacres have, instead, intensified,” wrote Rev. Michael Blair in a forceful letter to Canada’s prime minister and copied to all opposition parties.

While the UCC letter is written in careful and diplomatic language, it is forthright in demanding immediate action from the Government of Canada. It’s far-reaching demands (below) include immediate suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel, implementing a comprehensive arms embargo, prosecuting war criminals and suspending the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

“While we appreciate that the Government of Canada has made some statements to call for a ceasefire, and made a joint statement following the ICJ ruling, much more is clearly required“, Blair writes reflecting the Church’s frustration with Canada’s inaction.

“We urge the Government of Canada to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel with immediate effect and impose lawful targeted economic and political sanctions against Israel, as it did during Apartheid in South Africa. Specifically, we call on Canada to:

• Condemn the targeting of schools by IDF and all acts of violence against civilians.
• Call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade on Gaza.
• Support international efforts to investigate those responsible and hold them accountable.
• Increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and support reconstruction efforts.
• Work towards a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.
• Recall Canada’s Ambassador to Israel.
• Revoke the credentials of the Israeli Ambassador to Canada.
• Implement a comprehensive, two-way arms embargo on Israel:
• Suspend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement, at minimum until such time as trade supporting
  the occupation of the OPT is excluded.

The full text of the UCC letter is available HERE.

CTIP subscribers who agree with Reverend Blair’s letter are invited to share it (or this post) with their own MP, and with their friends, in addition to sending it to Prime Minister Trudeau. All appropriate email addresses are included at the end of Reverend Blair’s letter.

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