MONTREAL/OTTAWA/TORONTO, January 24, 2024 – Today, Canadian humanitarian organizations working in Gaza are joining an alliance of 16 international humanitarian and human rights organizations to urge all states, including Canada, to immediately cease the direct or indirect transfer of arms, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups, as long as there is a risk that these elements may be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights.
According to experts, the military campaign currently being waged by Israel is now considered one of the deadliest and most destructive in recent history. Humanitarian agencies, human rights groups, United Nations representatives, and over 153 member states have been calling for a ceasefire for months, but only a brief respite occurred in November. Many leaders around the world have urged the Israeli government to reduce civilian casualties. However, Israeli defense forces continue to fire explosive weapons and munitions in densely populated areas across the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 25,000 people and disastrous humanitarian consequences for Gaza’s residents, who have nowhere to go for protection.
Gaza’s lifeline, consisting of internationally funded humanitarian aid, is paralyzed by the intensity of hostilities. Attacks on aid convoys, bombed hospitals, recurrent communication blackouts, damaged roads, restrictions on essential supplies, an almost total ban on commercial goods, and restrictive bureaucratic procedures for sending aid to Gaza have all led to a woefully inadequate humanitarian response.
While Canada is not currently transferring arms to Palestinian armed groups, its arms transfers to Israel amounted to 27 million CAD in 2021, a peak since 1987. All UN member states, including Canada, have a legal responsibility to prevent atrocity crimes and ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law.
Canadian humanitarian organizations are demanding an immediate ceasefire and calling on Canada to halt arms transfers and immediately suspend all arms export permits to Israel, as long as there is a risk that they may be used to commit violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including parts transferred to the United States and destined for Israel.
QUOTES:
“Médecins du Monde urges Canada to align with its vote in favor of a ceasefire at the United Nations General Assembly. We emphasize the critical need to intervene in the face of a prolonged and devastating assault carried out through bombings and heavy artillery in a region measuring 365 square kilometers, home to 2.2 million people. With no ceasefire yet materializing, an urgent call is being made to Canada, as well as other countries, to swiftly suspend all arms transfers to the parties in conflict. In this severe humanitarian crisis, this is a vital measure capable of saving lives.”
– Nadja Pollaert, Executive Director, Médecins du Monde Canada
“The Mennonite Central Committee Canada remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian catastrophe currently unfolding in Gaza. We urge the Canadian government to do everything in its power, including suspending arms transfers and arms export permits to Israel, and to work toward an immediate ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, and respect for international law and human rights. As a peacebuilding humanitarian organization with decades of experience, including 75 years of presence in Israel and Palestine, we know that violence will not bring security or lasting peace. The time has come to demonstrate clear and committed leadership in support of a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.”
– Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada
“For over 100 days, airstrikes and military operations in Gaza have killed an average of 250 Palestinians per day. The 25,000 tons of explosives used so far have not only led to the loss of over 25,000 lives but have also blocked the deployment of the required humanitarian response. Governments exporting arms to the parties involved must immediately stop fueling this violence and have an obligation to prevent potential war crimes. At this stage, we must use every means at our disposal to avoid being complicit in these atrocities.”
– Béatrice Vaugrante, Executive Director, Oxfam-Québec
“Over 10,000 children have lost their lives, while survivors endure the unspeakable, including injuries, burns, illnesses, inadequate medical care, abductions, and the loss of loved ones. We urge the Canadian government to immediately cease arms transfers to Israel and Palestinian armed groups. Despite the Canadian government’s support for a ceasefire and the United Nations Security Council’s vote in favor of improving access to humanitarian needs, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated. Too many children in Gaza and Israel are facing serious violations of their rights, and one serious violation is one too many.”
– Danny Genwright, President and CEO, Save the Children Canada
“Humanity & Inclusion calls on states, including Canada, to cease arms transfers, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups. The protection of innocent civilians, who have been the collateral damage of this conflict for over 100 days, is at stake. We urgently demand an immediate and lasting ceasefire that will end the violence in the Gaza Strip.”
– Anne Delorme, Executive Director, Humanity & Inclusion Canada
“We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza right now. Over 10,000 children have been killed by Israel’s bombings in Gaza. We call on the Canadian government to uphold its commitment to supporting a ceasefire, including suspending arms transfers and arms export permits to Israel, and to work toward an immediate ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, and respect for international law.”
– Usama Khan, CEO, Islamic Relief Canada
SIGNATORIES:
Médecins du Monde Canada
Mennonite Central Committee Canada
Humanity & Inclusion Canada
Islamic Relief Canada
Oxfam-Québec
Oxfam-Canada
Save the Children Canada
-30-
Media Contacts:
Mélissa Cabana, Médecins du Monde Canada, melissa.cabana@medecinsdumonde.ca, +1 514 799-8985
Laura Kalmar, Mennonite Central Committee Canada laurakalmar@mcccanada.ca 1 844 732-2346
Fatou Thiam, Humanity & Inclusion Canada, f.thiam@hi.org, +1 514 229-0671
Reyhana Patel, Islamic Relief Canada, reyhana@islamicreliefcanada.org, +1 647 200-4662
Vita Sgardello, Oxfam-Canada, vita.sgardello@oxfam.org, +1 613 799-0234
Khoudia Ndiaye, Oxfam-Québec, khoudia.ndiaye@oxfam.org, +1 514 560-5731
Jessica Bryant, Save the Children Canada, jbryant@savethechildren.ca, + 1 647 973-1185