Portrait of Political Cowardice: Michael Ignatieff Weighs in on Gaza Catastrophe
by C. L. Cook
 Here we have it; the man who would lead Canada summons his much touted international experience and hard-bitten Liberal realpolitik to size up the situation in Gaza. Ignoring the advanced weaponry Israel is deploying against the Gaza ghetto, the cluster bombs, depleted uranium, and now fuel air bombs, the former Yale professor and darling of the academic wing of the neo-liberal claque, Ignatieff summons the courage to damn Hamas.
British prime minister, Neville Chamberlain shakes hands with the devil.
Yes, Mr, Ignatieff would blame the victims, while sparing any discouraging word against the perpetrators of an estimated 500 dead and nearly 3000 wounded - this not considering the mental anguish of Gaza's roughly 800,000 children suffering under the bombardment these last eight days - Israel.
This is appeasement of a monumental scale. The picture is of a Briton history reviles for his "appeasement" of Adolph Hitler, allowing the Nazi annexation of Austria. If there is any justice left in this nation, Canadian history will remember Michael Ignatieff likewise.
Below, the coward foisted on his own petard.
Statement by Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition, on the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
 I am greatly concerned by the deepening violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip and the fear and suffering on all sides that this mounting instability has caused.
The Liberal Party of Canada unequivocally condemns the rocket attacks launched by Hamas against Israeli civilians and calls for an immediate end to these attacks. We affirm Israel's right to defend itself against such attacks, and also its right to exist in peace and security.
We regret the loss of life sustained on all sides of the conflict. We call on all parties to end these hostilities, mindful that a durable ceasefire will be necessary to prevent continued civilian casualties and lasting damage to essential civilian infrastructure.
The international community has a responsibility to ensure that the cost of conflict is not borne by the innocent and Canada must stand ready to assist and ensure that basic humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it.
Our thoughts are with those in Israel and the Gaza Strip whose lives are imperiled by the cycle of violence in the region. In the midst of this crisis, we continue to stand for a peaceful resolution. We firmly believe that the basis of this peace will be the mutual recognition by both Israelis and Palestinians of two states, living side by side in peace and security, with a full resolution of the issue of refugees and settlements, as well as secure and internationally recognized borders and boundaries.
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