by C. L. Cook
Canada's minister of foreign affairs released a terse, four-sentence statement of his government's position on the disaster unfolding in Gaza.
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon's message is included in full below, but suffice to say, Canada finds no fault in the actions of the nation it "unshakably" supports, Israel.
As it did during Israel's illegal
invasion of Lebanon in 2006, the government of Canada has refused to
recognize the Israeli Defense Forces' mass killings of civilians and the destruction of a
"country's" infrastructure as criminal acts deserving prosecution, provided for in international jurisprudence.
This cannot be surprising, as Canada has
supported fully the Israeli blockade of Gaza that nation announced following
the successful election of Hamas in 2006.
That election, verified "free and fair" by international observers, was never accepted by Israel. At the time, Canada's minister of defense, Peter MacKay opined Canada should offer "not one red cent" of aid to the "terrorist" Hamas government, and supported the curtailing of Canadian aid to Gaza.
The blockade of Gaza has continued through first the sixteen month unilaterally declared Hamas ceasefire, and the subsequent, and recently expired, six-months ceasefire declared by both Israel and Hamas. Throughout these two declared cessations of aggression, Israeli has continued its campaign of targeted assassinations in Gaza and the West Bank, and refused to reign in outrages committed by "settlers" in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Video of some of those "settler" tactic recently broadcast prompted Israel's outgoing prime minister, Ehud Olmert to denounce these activities saying they amounted to a "pogrom."
The Canadian government has in this period remained "unshakably" silent.
Below is the latest comment on the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza; it is a catastrophe that includes the deployment of banned and restricted munitions and illegal strategies for waging war in an urban area populated by civilians.
-0-
January 4, 2009 (4:40 p.m. EST)
No. 2
Statement by Minister Cannon on the Increase in Hostilities Between Israel and Hamas
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip:
“Canada is deeply concerned about the increase in hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
“We urge renewed international diplomatic efforts to achieve a sustainable and durable ceasefire, starting with the halting of all rocket attacks on Israel. Canada maintains that the rocket attacks are the cause of this crisis.
“Just as urgent diplomatic efforts are needed to bring about an end to the crisis, it is essential that the international community come together to address the humanitarian situation. This includes ensuring access to food, fuel and medical supplies.â€
“Since hostilities began, I have spoken to a number of my counterparts in the region and around the world to stress the need to protect civilians and bring this current crisis to an end. Canada will remain in close contact with its international partners to reach these immediate objectives.â€
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
