Four Liberal-appointed senators on Thursday signed an anti-Israel petition accusing Jews of genocide, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
The petition singled out soldiers and air crew of the Israeli Defence Forces with allegations of atrocities. None of the claims were sourced.
“The government’s ‘balanced’ approach to the crisis in Palestine over the last 16 months has not prevented the deaths of more than 45,000 Palestinians, the blockage of humanitarian supplies to civilians, the forced displacement of Palestinians by Jewish settlers, the use of starvation as a weapon and sexual and gender-based violence by Israeli soldiers,” said the petition.
The petition was signed by Sens. Yuen Pau Woo, Marilou McPhedran, Kim Pate and Rosa Galvez.
“Canada’s response to a genocide in Palestine is disgraceful and borders on complicity,” said the petition.
“We call on the government to denounce Israel’s crimes against humanity and to take concrete actions to restrain the Israeli government from further war crimes and genocidal acts including the complete cessation of weapons exports and the imposition of sanctions on the State of Israel and its leaders.”
Canada’s two-way trade with Israel is worth some $2.5 billion annually under a Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement dating from 1997. The Canada Pension Plan also holds $211 million worth of stock in Israeli firms including banks and pharmaceutical companies.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly in 2024 said cabinet would not “pick sides” in the war prompted by Hamas terrorists’ killing and kidnapping of Jews in Israel, including eight Canadians.
“This conflict has polarized our society and is testing the strength of our social cohesion,” she said.
“We are entangled in a web of devastation and face pressure to pick sides, forced to believe that if we speak up for one, of course surely we are against the other. For us it is not that simple. Given the situation, I doubt there will be a winner.”
“Where do we stand? We are there to help. We are an honest broker and that is what Canada does.”
Joly’s remarks came three months after Canada voted with Iran and against Israel at the United Nations. The Canadian delegation supported a December 13, 2023 motion demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza without any condemnation of Hamas’ killing and kidnapping.
Jewish Liberals expressed outrage at the time.
“This will not soon be forgotten,” said Michael Levitt, former MP and CEO of Canadian Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.
“My advice to all politicians? If you can’t stand proud and strong with the Jewish community don’t light our damn Hanukkah candles.”
