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Nov
Over 50 BC Mayors and City Councillors Call on Canadian Government to Demand a Ceasefire in Gaza
Written by BC Mayors and City CouncillorsAs local government elected officials across BC, we are horrified and heartbroken by the crisis in Israel and Gaza. As of November 12, over an estimated 11,000 Palestinians and an estimated 1,200 Israelis have lost their lives since the devastating Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th. Ultimately, even one life lost is too many. We mourn with the communities who have lost loved ones and family members, grieve the unconscionable number of innocent lives lost, and watch in anguish at the unprecedented degree of violence and human suffering.
We have heard from residents who are directly affected with family and friends in Gaza and Israel, and from others concerned about the destruction unfolding. They are pleading for action from all orders of government.
As local government elected officials across BC, we are horrified and heartbroken by the crisis in Israel and Gaza. As of November 12, over an estimated 11,000 Palestinians and an estimated 1,200 Israelis have lost their lives since the devastating Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th. Ultimately, even one life lost is too many. We mourn with the communities who have lost loved ones and family members, grieve the unconscionable number of innocent lives lost, and watch in anguish at the unprecedented degree of violence and human suffering.
We have heard from residents who are directly affected with family and friends in Gaza and Israel, and from others concerned about the destruction unfolding. They are pleading for action from all orders of government.
As such, we join human rights groups in urging the Canadian government to immediately:
- Call for a ceasefire
- Support unrestricted access to humanitarian aid
- Secure the release of all hostages
We have a moral obligation to speak up, represent our communities, and collectively call for urgent action from the Canadian government.
Humanitarian organisations, including Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders and the United Nations, have cited growing atrocities in the region.
Horrific tragedies including the death of over 4500 Palestinian children (as of November 12), the bombing by Israel of refugee camps, hospitals, schools, mosques, and vital local infrastructure such as water and electrical utilities.
So many civilian lives have been needlessly lost and there is no end in sight. The collective punishment of civilians is understood to be a violation of international law.
We are ashamed at Canada’s abstention at the United Nations General Assembly on a resolution calling for “an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.” Canada should be a leader on the world stage, but instead, sat on the sidelines.
As local government elected officials, we are united in our call for Canada to join the growing national and international community and demand for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, and a just peace for all.
We condemn all acts of anti-semitism, anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia in our communities, which have risen since the escalation of violence this past month, and will work to ensure our communities are just, safe and welcoming for all. We stand with innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians, during a heartbreaking time, in saying that Canada must act now.
