We ask you, Madam Minister Mélanie Joly, to act now to save the Palestinian people from bombings, famine, massacres, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and what various United Nations representatives have described as potential acts of genocide by making appropriate decisions regarding diplomacy, politics and arms sales.
The Canadian government has a duty to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7.
While impatiently waiting for governments like yours and international institutions to assume their responsibilities, and given the seriousness of what is happening in the Palestinian territories and Gaza, citizens around the world are organizing to act in solidarity.
Tragically, the assassination of Jacob Flickinger and his fellow local aid workers illustrates a tiny part of the deadly consequences of our governments’ inaction. Stakeholder of the 4e Geneva Convention relating to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, Canada has the right and duty to demand from Israel the lifting of the blockade, to protect the civilian population and to ensure the protection of people on humanitarian missions In the region.
This week, five Canadian citizens, including four from Quebec, are taking part in the humanitarian mission organized by an international coalition called the Freedom Flotilla. In addition to the crews, the Flotilla will bring together several hundred humanitarian workers, journalist-reporters and volunteers brought together thanks to the initiative of NGOs from around the world.
It will leave Istanbul for Gaza to deliver 5,500 tonnes of food and medical and hygienic supplies to the population of the Palestinian enclave.
The Flotilla’s mission has three simple objectives based on the rules of international law: a) put an end to the blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza for 17 years; b) deliver humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza; and c) offer a glimmer of hope to the Palestinian people. These rules specify that belligerents cannot restrict access to food, medicines and other aid; that the siege cannot obstruct medical evacuations, cannot prevent civilians from leaving the war zone, and cannot prevent civilians from continuing their livelihoods. Israel is violating, more than ever, all these rules of law.
The siege of Gaza is therefore illegal and Canada, as a party to the Convention, has the right to demand that it be lifted to ensure the protection of its citizens. The Canadian government also has a duty to protect the Palestinian population, as this illegal siege leads to war crimes and may enable the commission of what the International Criminal Court suspects are acts of genocide.
Our delegation obtained the support of several organizations and public figures, including Louise Harel, former president of the National Assembly of Quebec, Régis Labeaume, former mayor of Quebec, France-Isabelle Langlois, general director of Amnesty International – French-speaking Canada, Diane Lamoureux, of the League of Rights and Freedoms, Luc Picard, actor and director, the organizations VJI-Independent Jewish Voices, PAJU (Palestinians and Jews United), the Collective of Quebec for Peace and the Médecins québécois collective against the genocide in Gaza. She also obtained the support of political figures from all walks of life, including Jackie Smith, municipal councilor of the City of Quebec, Ruba Ghazal and Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, deputies of Québec solidaire in the National Assembly, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon , leader of the Parti Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Québécois, Alexandre Boulerice, deputy leader of the New Democratic Party.
We need your support and the action of your government to ensure the physical and moral security of both our fellow citizens there and those working for a peaceful solution to this unprecedented humanitarian disaster.