As the conflict in the Middle East enters its third month, the number of federal MPs calling on the Canadian government to demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip continues to increase.
In mid-October, thirty-three federal MPs – 23 Liberals, 8 New Democrats and 2 Greens – signed an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to position themselves in favor of a cease-fire.
Today, all 25 elected New Democrats, the Bloc Québécois and at least three new Liberal MPs have officially positioned themselves in favor of a ceasefire, according to a non-exhaustive count of the Duty.
In interview at DutyLiberal MP for Scarborough Centre, Salma Zahid, who chairs the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group, says “support for a call for a ceasefire is growing in the House of Commons.”
“Several other MPs either took positions on their social networks or spoke directly to the Prime Minister for a ceasefire,” she underlines.
Mme Zahid, who was behind the first open letter in October, insists time is running out. So much so that she sent a second letter to the Prime Minister earlier this week.
“We have rightly affirmed that all parties have a legal and moral responsibility to protect innocent civilians. How does this statement square with over 15,500 civilian deaths? “, she wrote in her letter written in English.
The MP of Pakistani origin deplores that the situation in Gaza, which has deteriorated since the resumption of fighting, requires urgent measures. “There is no longer a safe place for people in Gaza,” she says on the line.
Since the expiration of a seven-day truce, the army has tightened its grip on southern Gaza. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the equivalent of the Red Cross, the medical sector in Gaza is no longer holding up.
Among the new elected officials to position themselves are the Liberal MP for Cambridge, Ontario, and Peter Fonseca, Liberal MP for Mississauga East — Cooksville. The two elected officials sent a letter to the Prime Minister to request a ceasefire. Prince Edward Island Liberal Sean Casey also added his voice to that of his colleagues.
Despite growing calls, the Trudeau government has never called for a ceasefire in Gaza, preferring to implement “humanitarian pauses” in the territory.
MP Salma Zahir did not want to criticize the Prime Minister’s position, stressing that divisions are after all normal within the Liberal caucus. “It’s a big party, I’m aware that not everyone has the same perspective [sur le conflit] “, she says.
“That’s the government’s position, that’s where they are right now. But I will continue to push for a permanent ceasefire,” she insists.
A “shameful” refusal
Alongside MPs, other voices continue to be raised in Ottawa. In interview at Duty Earlier this month, Canada’s special representative on combating Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, said she discussed calling for a ceasefire with the prime minister earlier in November.
During her meeting, she stressed to the head of government that the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities were urging Ottawa to play a peacemaking role in the Middle East.
“It is important, in my role as representative, to share the concerns of my community with the government and the Prime Minister,” she declared during the interview.
The New Democratic Party, the Bloc Québécois and the Green Party are the only ones to have positioned themselves in favor of a ceasefire.
A parliamentary petition sponsored by NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice, calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, has garnered more than 286,700 signatures — making it the most popular electronic petition in the history of Parliament .
“This shows that, more than any other issue, Canadians are united in their opposition to the continued bloodshed in Gaza. It also clearly shows that Canadians expect their government to support human rights and international law in Palestine-Israel,” said Thomas Woodley, president of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. Orient in a press release.
“Mr. Trudeau’s refusal to call for a ceasefire is not only shameful, but also directly contrary to the wishes of Canadians,” added Mr. Woodley.