NDP presents petition on illegal settlements

New Democrat Hélène Laverdière presents petition on illegal settlements signed by nearly 4000 Canadians.

Today in the House of Commons Hélène Laverdière (Laurier – Sainte-Marie) presented a petition calling on the Government of Canada to demand that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. Nearly four thousand Canadians signed this petition.
“I thank Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East for having submitted this petition, which represents the concerns of thousands of Canadians,” said Laverdière. “Canada has been unacceptably silent on illegal settlements, and this petition should be a wake-up call to this government.”
On Friday, Laverdière raised concerns during Question Period that Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland had ignored five letters on Israel/Palestine sent to her by the MP since last March.
“I am offended, frankly, that my questions about Canadian policy on Israel/Palestine have gone unanswered by this Minister for nearly a year. It’s a sign of disrespect towards a fellow Parliamentarian and towards the thousands of Canadians who have written to both of us,” said Laverdière. “On issues of illegal settlements, threats of demolition of Palestinian villages, and children in military prisons, I have no idea whether Canada has raised any objection with the Israeli government. I would like to know where the Trudeau government stands on these issues.”