Quebec does not support Ottawa’s request for a ceasefire in Gaza

The Quebec government does not support Ottawa’s request for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza.

“Hamas, a terrorist movement recognized by several states including Canada, must lay down its arms. In addition, the hostages must be released so that a ceasefire can be considered,” wrote the office of the Minister of International Relations, Martine Biron.

The duty requested the office of M^me Biron Thursday to find out the opinion of the Quebec government on the request for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, made two days earlier by the federal government. Ottawa voted for a resolution to this effect before the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday in New York. He had previously sent a joint statement with Australia and New Zealand, in which he demanded a “lasting ceasefire”, while asking Hamas “to release all hostages”.

Quebec shares another point of view. “Quebec remains concerned about the security and well-being of all civilians both in Israel and in the Gaza Strip. This war has created a lot of suffering since the attack initiated by Hamas on October 7,” wrote Martine Biron’s press secretary, Catherine Boucher, in a short statement.

The conditions imposed by Quebec for a ceasefire are reminiscent of those put forward by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who earlier this week expressed his disagreement with the vote held at the UN.

By demanding such conditions, the Quebec government is standing alone in the National Assembly. The Liberal Party of Quebec demands an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and “also calls for the release of the hostages”. Québec solidaire and the Parti Québécois demand an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. They also tabled a motion to this effect on 1^er november.

The refusal of the Coalition Avenir Québec to support this motion shocked solidarity MP Haroun Bouazzi. “It’s a shame,” he said before bursting into tears in front of journalists.

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