These conversations were not always easy. We don’t all share the same perspective, but we all share the goal of peace and stability in the region. And so, we must be pragmatic and find a way forward, together. It will take decades, even generations, to bring to light and deal with the consequences of the trauma experienced by Israelis and Palestinians alike. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Forced to believe that if we speak up for one side then surely, we are against the other. The violence must end – an immediate humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed. And this ceasefire cannot be one sided. Hamas must lay down its weapons and release all hostages immediately. With the current level of destruction we have witnessed, it will take years to rebuild everything. Our government will continue to strongly denounce and condemn all forms of discrimination and racism, which have no place in Canada. The Court has been clear: Israel must ensure the provision of basic services and essential humanitarian aid and must protect civilians. 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced and even more are at risk of starvation, disease and death. In Canada and around the world, we have witnessed a sharp rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia. In the midst of this tragedy, Palestinians in the West Bank are confronted with increasingly frequent and intense acts of violence by extremist settlers. Mr. Chairman, with regard to the export of controlled goods to Israel, I would like to reiterate that Canada has a very strict export permit regime, under which each application is examined on a case-by-case basis. We spoke to one family who was forced from their home by Israeli settlers and denied access to their farm, which is vital to their survival. They have been harassed on the streets and online, barred from their places of worship, and made to feel unsafe in their schools. This pain has extended throughout the region, and here are at home. In Canada, we mourn the loss of 8 Canadians killed on October 7th. Countless Canadian families mourn the loss of their loved ones in both Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. She described the chaos of not understanding what was happening. Of friends and family breathlessly running from house to house, passing those that had been set on fire, looking for their loved ones. Of course, the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the path towards peace were at the top of our agenda. They are intertwined. We must recognize this and act on it. There I met Ayelet, the mother of Netta, a Canadian who was killed protecting his fiancé. Ayelet walked us through her neighbourhood and recounted the agonizing massacres of October 7. Export permits The long-term security of Israel, the normalization of relations in the Arab world, and the creation of a Palestinian state cannot be considered separately or in opposition of one another. Canada will remain committed to a two-state solution, including the creation of a Palestinian state, where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in peace, security, and dignity. Rebuilding Gaza will require our help. Canada will be there. Before the creation of Israel, Jewish communities around the world struggled to find a place to call home. A place where they could feel safe. They have witnessed mothers undergoing C-sections without anesthetic. The desperation of children asking for food as they drive past. And the despair of children who are now orphans. Mr. Speaker, they have nowhere else to go. We’ve made it clear to the Israeli government that we urge them not to go down this path. In Canada, our position is rooted in three principles: As far as the International Court of Justice is concerned, we fully recognize that the Court’s interim measures are binding on both parties. We owe it to the Palestinians and Israelis who have been abandoned for decades because no lasting solution has been found to this conflict. Because of the urgency of the situation, we have resumed funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), while supporting efforts to reform the organization. We recognize this will not replace the urgent need for more access by land, and we will continue to press for it. And given the rapidly evolving situation on the ground, we have not approved any permits since January 8. Canada will be there to help, especially with health infrastructures and children’s hospitals. Since October 7, we have only approved permits for non-lethal goods. We therefore unequivocally condemn Hamas once again for the terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7. And I believe Canada has a role to play. And that’s without mentioning the wider repercussions on the Middle East. Mr. Speaker, this crisis has exposed cracks and deepened the wounds of society on both sides. We fully recognize these principles are in tension with each other right now, but we must remain committed to all of them. Mr. Chairman, it’s fair to say that every single Palestinian family tree has been severed by violence since October 7. This is clear from our conversations in Ramallah. Our diplomatic heritage is that of Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Jean Chrétien and Brian Mulroney. Our legacy is one of peacekeeping and building bridges to facilitate talks. Mr. Speaker, it is important to remember that the persecution of the Jewish people did not start or end with the Holocaust. Beyond the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia, this conflict has polarized our society and is testing the strength of our social cohesion. And when we don’t see the humanity in others, injustice falls onto the shoulders of innocents. Mr. Speaker, I welcome debate during this pivotal moment for the region and the world. Palestinians struggle for a home of their own. It was a moment that will stay with me forever. That’s why, in this tragedy, I will always take the side of human dignity and the protection of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. But in many cases, it was too late. They had already been killed. Mr. President, it’s impossible to find a single person in Israel who doesn’t know, directly or indirectly, someone who was killed or kidnapped on that fateful day. And believe me, the weight of this collective trauma can be felt throughout the country. Mr. Chairman, the only way to achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians is through a negotiated political solution. There will only be victims and survivors who will forever mourn their losses. Mr. President, we are firmly opposed to this violence, and we will punish those responsible. Palestinians continue to struggle for their self-determination and the creation of a Palestinian State. A state where they could feel safe. A state where they could live in security. A state where their human rights would be respected. A state where they could live with dignity, have a family, and build their future. We have no choice. We have to do better. We are all entangled in a web of devastation, and face pressure to pick sides. The Hamas terrorist attack was the deadliest against Israel since its creation in 1948. 1,200 people were killed by Hamas and more than 240 were kidnapped. These acts of violence alone have claimed the lives of over 300 Palestinians and displaced more than 1,000 others since October 7. And we are committed to being pragmatic and doing our part.
- The right for Israel to exist, and by extension defend itself, in accordance with humanitarian law;
- The protection of civilians; and
- The right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.
Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy. For us, it is not that simple. That moment, the duality of tragedy befalling the Israeli and Palestinian people, was profound. Beyond this failure, terrorists and extremist voices are being heard on all fronts, undermining the future of Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are gravely concerned by Israel’s plan for a ground military offensive into Rafah. About 1.5 million Palestinians are taking refuge in the area, including many of our citizens and their families. We will contribute to the humanitarian sea corridor. We will support air drops. Mr. Chairman, given the current state of affairs, I doubt there will be any winners. To this day, some 134 of them remain in captivity in Gaza. These 134 families are desperately awaiting their return so that they can be hugged. March 18, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario Since October 7th, more than 31,000 Palestinians have now been killed in Gaza. Approximately 70% of are women and children. And while we bore witness to the horrors of October 7th, we could hear and feel the shudders of bombs falling on Gaza nearby, followed by the unmistakable peppering of gunfire. ICJ I sat down with humanitarian workers who described the crisis in Gaza as the worst they have ever seen in their careers. It is fuelled by dehumanization. That is why Canada will participate in every single way to help. Today, we have a responsibility to build on this tradition. While in Israel, we visited Yad Vashem, the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, one of the world’s darkest chapters. Muslim and Jewish communities are targets of physical and verbal attacks. I rise having just returned from visiting the Middle East, where I met with my counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza has never been greater. Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must be provided to civilians, now. A place where they could live in security. A place where their human rights would be respected. A place where they could live with dignity, have a family, and build their future without fear. This is not the promise of our country. For the Jewish people, Israel is that home. We also travelled south to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the first communities to be attacked by Hamas on October 7th. On October 7, Israelis saw their sense of security and confidence in their institutions shaken. And for many, simply shattered.
