NDP call on the Liberal government to uphold commitments on human rights

NDP critic for foreign affairs and international development, Heather McPherson, made the following statement on the fifth anniversary of UNSCR 2334:

“Five years ago, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2334 on Israel and Palestine. The resolution was passed and is binding under international law. It stresses that the status quo is not sustainable and that significant steps are urgently needed in order to stabilize the situation and to reverse negative trends on the ground, which are steadily eroding the two-State solution.

Among other things, the resolution called on States to distinguish between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. It called on Israel to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory--including East Jerusalem --and for immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians.

New Democrats mark the fifth anniversary of this resolution by urging the Government of Canada to uphold UNSCR 2334 and to call on the Government of Israel to halt all settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. New Democrats also urge Canada to end all trade and economic cooperation with illegal settlements in Israel-Palestine.

Recent comments by Canada’s new Foreign Affairs Minister regarding Palestinians are troubling. Equally concerning is her silence regarding Israel’s designation of six Palestinian human rights organizations as ‘terrorists’ - an unjustified attack on civil society that will have severe consequences for the children and families who receive critical services from these organizations. We call on Minister Joly to explain how Canada intends to make tangible contributions toward peace and security in Israel and Palestine - rather than supporting the status quo.

The Canadian government should do its part to create the conditions for peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with agreed-upon borders. By failing to call out Israel for breaching international law and violating the human rights of the Palestinian people, Canada is contributing to the problem.

On the fifth anniversary of UNSCR 2334, we call on the Liberal government do its part for peace and to stand up for international law and human rights.”