On Monday, in the House of Commons, NDP MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, AB) called for Israel and Hamas to be prosecuted for war crimes.McPherson started by condemning the actions of Hamas but quickly turned to accusing Israel of war crimes.“New Democrats are devastated by the brutal massacre and terrorist attack by Hamas, who on October 7 killed over 1,300 Israeli civilians,” said McPherson.“We condemn Hamas and these terrorist attacks that have caused so much pain for the Jewish community globally and in Canada.” "And as this crisis worsens, I also want us to pay attention to the unfolding humanitarian nightmare in Gaza,” said McPherson.“I want to state clearly that international law obligations are not reciprocal. One war crime does not excuse another, retribution is not justice. Retribution does not bring peace.”“We are unfortunately watching violations of international law in Gaza. A siege with no water, no electricity, no food, entire communities destroyed, entire families wiped out,” said McPherson.“Over 1,000 children have been killed. Hospitals have been bombed and workers killed, humanitarian aid workers killed.”McPherson stated the United Nations said the Gaza blockade could be considered a “genocide.” “United Nations independent experts have said this amounts to collective punishment,” said McPherson.“The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Ahmad Khan has said a full blockade of Gaza could be considered a crime against humanity and a genocide.”“It does not absolve Israel of its obligations to protect civilians, nor does it absolve Canada of its obligations to call out violations to international law when they occur,” said McPherson.“Where is the government in condemning this siege, this forcible transfer, this humanitarian crisis? The minister has spoken to her Israeli counterparts, the prime minister has spoken to the leader of Israel to convey Canada's support, but in any of those conversations has Canada told Israeli officials that this scale of revenge, these clear violations of law are unacceptable to Canadians?““So many Israelis are speaking out against Israel's actions in Gaza. Survivors of the Hamas terrorist attack are asking for peace,” said McPherson. “They are saying not in our name. They are asking for the release of hostages, including Canadians.”
