Montreal, November 08, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds today’s call from the Bloc Québécois for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which was announced by Yves-Francois Blanchet in a press conference this morning. The Bloc joins the NDP, Green Party, many Liberal MPs, civil society, and public opinion in calling for an end to Israel’s military offensive, which has killed more than 10,000 Palestinians in just one month. CJPME thanks the Bloc for adopting this principled position, and urges Prime Minister Trudeau to finally withdraw his support for Israel’s genocidal war.

 “The Bloc and the majority of Quebecers have spoken clearly, the Trudeau government must call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” said Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. “The progressive and humanitarian position is clear: the only way to achieve peace and security is to end the butchery in Gaza. Quebecers know Canada has a responsibility to protect Gazans from the genocidal policies of Israel’s far-right government. When will Trudeau get the message?”

The demand for a ceasefire is already supported by the NDP, Green Party, and many Liberal MPs who signed a statement from the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group. More than 200 Canadian civil society organizations have signed a joint statement urging a ceasefire, and there will be a Day of Action on November 12 to highlight this demand. Every single recipient of Canadian humanitarian aid in Gaza is also pushing for an immediate ceasefire. Yesterday, two public polls (Angus Reid and Mainstreet) showed that a majority of Canadians support the idea of a ceasefire, either full or temporary.

To date, Canada has refused to call for a ceasefire but appears to unconditionally support Israel’s military offensive with the goal of “eliminating” Hamas. On October 28, Canada abstained on a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly in support of a humanitarian truce. At most, Canada has expressed support for limited “humanitarian pauses,” a deeply inadequate demand that has been rejected by Israel. This week, CJPME issued a formal letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explaining that Canada’s failed approach is only perpetuating further human suffering. Among its demands, CJPME is urging Canada to support an immediate ceasefire, an end to Israel's siege and occupation, and a suspension of Canada’s two-way military trade with Israel.

“Trudeau has a choice: will he side with the conservatives and continue to be Netanyahu and Biden’s lap dog? Or will he join with progressives throughout Quebec and Canada in calling for an immediate ceasefire?” said Woodley. “The Bloc has chosen to be on the side of peace and justice, we are still waiting to see if Trudeau will choose courage over convenience.”

About CJPME – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is a non-profit and secular organization bringing together men and women of all backgrounds who labour to see justice and peace take root again in the Middle East. Its mission is to empower decision-makers to view all sides with fairness and to promote the equitable and sustainable development of the region.

For more information, please contact Michael Bueckert, 613-315-7947
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East www.cjpme.org

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