Statement by the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group on End of Ceasefire in Gaza

As Parliamentarians representing the Liberal Party of Canada the New Democratic Party and the Green Party of Canada, we are united in calling for an end to the violence in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.

We call for the release and safe return of all hostages and prisoners to their families. We condemn all acts of terrorism, including the recent bus explosions.

We urge both Israel and Hamas to abide by all the terms of the cease fire agreement. This includes the free and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the full withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Palestinian territory, and the release of hostages and prisoners.

We note with grave concern that Israel has again stopped all humanitarian aid, including food, from entering Gaza and that this is a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law.

Denying a people food and basic humanitarian aid is not a legitimate tool of war.

We also condemn the destruction by the Israeli military of refugee camps in the West Bank, and the continued organized campaign of harassment against the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). UNRWA has responded to all complaints made against it. No credible evidence has ever been provided to substantiate the claims made against it as an organization. UNRWA is the only humanitarian organization capable of providing basic aid to the Palestinian people and it must be allowed to do its work.

We condemn strongly the remarks of U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Gaza. The future of Gaza and Palestine will be decided by the people of Palestine, and no one else. Palestinians are a free and sovereign people and forced displacement is illegal.

As a multi-partisan group of Parliamentarians, we call on Canada to enforce a strong two-way arms embargo with no exceptions or loopholes, to recognize and formally adopt a clear definition of anti-Palestinian racism, and to recognize the sovereign and independent Palestinian state.

Canada must use all its tools to support its stated goal of a two-state solution: a free and democratic State of Palestine living peacefully alongside a free and democratic State of Israel.

Group Members:

MP Shafgat Ali

MP Chandra Arya

MP Niki Ashton

MP Jenica Atwin

MP Taylor Bachrach

MP Lisa Marie Barron

MP Alexandre Boulerice

MP Laurel Collins

MP Leila Dance

MP Don Davies

MP Blake Desjarlais

MP Leah Gazan

MP Matthew Green

MP Lori Idlout

MP Helena Jaczek

MP Gord Johns

MP Majid Jowhari

MP Peter Julian

MP Iqra Khalid

MP Jenny Kwan

MP Lindsay Mathyssen

MP Brain Masse

MP Heather McPherson

MP Elizabeth May

MP Mike Morrice

MP Adam Van Koeverden

MP Patrick Weiler

MP Salma Zahid

MP Bonita Zarrillo