Montreal, November 21, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) welcomes the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) today against Israeli leaders for crimes against humanity in Gaza, and calls on the Canadian government to enforce them. The warrants were issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the war crime of starvation as a weapon of warfare. Given the gravity of the alleged crimes and considering Canada’s legal obligations as a signatory to the Rome Statute, CJPME urges Canada to make a public statement in support of the decision of the ICC and cooperate in the arrest and prosecution of Netanyahu and Gallant.

Israel’s devastating war on Gaza and the routine violence faced by Palestinians under military occupation have produced a catastrophic human toll, leading the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to order Israel to change its actions to prevent the “real and imminent risk” of genocide. The UN Human Rights Council and independent UN experts have called on all states to cease the sale and transfer of weapons to Israel immediately, or else risk complicity in war crimes or acts of genocide. Although Parliament voted in March 2024 in support of ending arms transfers to Israel, Canada’s actions to date have been limited and insufficient, allowing weapons to continue to flow to Israel. Canada cannot continue to export arms to Israel and maintain a close working relationship with the Israeli military so long as it is involved in egregious violations of international humanitarian law. Canada must use its diplomatic and economic leverage vis-a-vis Israel’s defense and security establishment to bring an immediate end to the violence.  

Palestine satisfies all the criteria for statehood according to the Montevideo Convention: it has a permanent population, a defined territory, a government and the ability to enter relations with other states. Over 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, with Spain, Ireland and Norway joining the chorus just recently. If Canada says it supports Palestinian self-determination, it should delay no longer, and recognize Palestine immediately!

Canada’s Sanctions on Illegal Settlers in the OPT Factsheet Series No. 248, created: August 2024, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East   View factsheet in PDF format CJPME Factsheet 248, published August 2024: This factsheet explores Canada’s recent sanctions on Israeli settlers and groups involved in extremist violence and land theft. The factsheet also addresses who the Israeli settlers and groups are and what recommendations the Canadian government can take regarding illegal settlers and settlements.