Israel and Hamas at war | A “significant” break is necessary, insists Justin Trudeau

(Ottawa) Without going so far as to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Justin Trudeau is calling for a “significant” humanitarian pause – not only to deliver humanitarian aid and get out those trapped in Gaza, but also so that the context lends itself to a return to negotiations on the two-state solution.

If we must do “everything we can to reduce violence” and allow access to “real, substantial aid” in the Palestinian enclave, we must also start thinking about solutions for the future. , pleaded the Prime Minister on Wednesday in a press scrum, upon his arrival at the weekly meeting of his caucus.

“We also need to start conversations about what the solution is going to be [à] medium and long term – how we are going to establish these two prosperous, secure, viable states. A responsible Palestinian state that protects and cares for citizens, a state of Israel, a Jewish state, protected, secure,” he insisted.

While denouncing the “unimaginable” attacks perpetrated in Israel a month and a day ago by Hamas, Justin Trudeau condemned “the death” and “the devastation, the destruction of families, elders, children, mothers” which followed in the Gaza Strip, where the death toll passed the milestone of 10,000 victims.

He was still pleased that Canada managed to evacuate 75 people on Tuesday through the Rafah border crossing, which separates the enclave from Egypt. But “there are still hundreds of people and families to be released”, not to mention the hostages held by Hamas since the attacks of October 7, he recalled.

Citizens and permanent residents of Canada and their loved ones were on a list of people to be evacuated on Wednesday, but the closure of the Rafah crossing thwarted their plans, Global Affairs Canada said in its daily update of the situation.

“We hope that the border crossing will be open again [jeudi] “, wrote the ministry, warning that Wednesday’s crossing ban could “cause delays” in the evacuation operation from the Gaza Strip.

“Appalling” hateful gestures in Canada

In his energetic speech in front of the cameras on Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister also called for a de-escalation of tensions and divisions in the country.

The rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are “appalling”, he said.

Thus, hateful gestures targeting synagogues, businesses, daycares and Jewish community centers must stop, as well as the “recrimination of anyone who dares to show a Palestinian flag,” he ordered.

The Bloc calls for a ceasefire

The leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, who considered a ceasefire unrealistic about two weeks ago, changed his tune on Wednesday.

During question period in the House of Commons, he argued that “repeated requests for a truce” must give way to a “strong gesture by the international community”.

Because “faced with the deplorable attitude” of the Hebrew State, which “is considering a lasting occupation of the Gaza Strip” and which has failed to show restraint towards civilians, a cease-fire is expected. imposes, he pleaded.

The Bloc caucus thus joins its voice to that of the entire deputation of the New Democratic Party, which called for a cessation of hostilities on 1^er last November.

At the end of question period, New Democrat Heather McPherson wanted to table a motion to demand a cease-fire, but she did not obtain the unanimity required to do so.

Two liberal motions, on the other hand, were adopted unanimously.

The first, from Jewish MP Anthony Housefather, denounced the “hateful terrorist” attack committed by Hamas and called for the immediate release of the hostages held by the terrorist group.

The second, from his Muslim colleague Sameer Zuberi, called for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and reiterated the Canadian position in favor of a two-state solution.

If we include the Liberal and Green deputies who demanded a cessation of hostilities, they are now 82 elected out of the 338 federal deputies.