OTTAWA, ON: Canada’s parliament passed a non-binding motion calling on the international community to work toward a two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, in line with government policy.
The Federal NDP introduced the motion that outlined steps the federal government can take to help end the violence in Gaza and Israel.
The NDP motion called on the government to demand an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages; suspend trade in military goods and technology with Israel and increase efforts to stop the illegal trade of arms, including to Hamas; ban extremist settlers from Canada; and recognize the State of Palestine as a step towards a two-state solution, among other actions.
The motion also asked the government to ensure Canadians still trapped in Gaza can reach safety in Canada and urges the government to lift the arbitrary cap of 1,000 temporary resident visa applications for Palestinians. Media reports say not one person has reached Canada through the government’s special immigration measures announced last December.
The motion was in the Parliament. “The vote was delayed by last-minute wrangling over wording supporting Palestinian statehood, an idea that looked set to deepen splits inside the ruling Liberal Party,” Reuters reported.
The initial version called on Canada to “officially recognize the State of Palestine” – a step that no member of the Group of Seven industrialized nations has taken.
After back-room negotiations between the NDP and the Liberals, that wording was dropped in favor of language calling on the international community to work toward the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.
The motion prompted anger and disappointment among both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian advocacy groups.
B’nai Brith Canada expressed outraged. Among other things, the motion calls on Canada to pressure Israel into agreeing to an “immediate” ceasefire in its war with Hamas. Far from addressing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region, the motion calls for measures that would help Hamas reclaim power in Gaza and resume attacks against Israeli civilians.
