Canada's toolkit for peace in Gaza
Israel has fully blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2. Essential supplies are either no longer available or quickly running out. The Israeli army also continues land and air strikes in Gaza, displacing over 90% of the population as they capture large areas and destroy homes and buildings.
As we witness this terrible devastation and mourn the loss of life, we echo the words of the prophet Isaiah with the belief that peace is possible: “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4).
Canada has the tools to help support this vision of peace and human flourishing. We call on our government to act boldly and take decisive action towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, ensuring that international humanitarian law is upheld, and working for long term peace and justice. Some significant tools that Canada can continue to use are:
- Diplomacy: Canada should use our diplomatic power to pressure all parties for a permanent ceasefire, release of hostages, and complete military withdrawal from Gaza.
- Humanitarian aid: Canada should continue to press Israel to lift the blockade and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to protect the role of humanitarian agencies to safely and fairly deliver aid.
- Uphold our commitment to accountability and international law: Canada should continue to respect the decisions made by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court regarding this conflict. We must ensure that our own actions and policies abide by international law, and take measures that hold Israel, and all armed actors, accountable for their actions.
- Work toward a long term and sustainable solution for peace in Palestine and Israel. Canada should clearly support an end to the illegal Israeli military occupation and illegal settlements, and the establishment of conditions that will allow for peace, justice, and human flourishing for all people. We encourage continued support for local peacebuilders, like MCC partners, who play a vital role in this current moment.