Canada must stop Israel’s ethnic cleansing of North Gaza: CJPME

Montreal, October 16, 2024Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls on the Canadian government to urgently intervene to stop Israel’s attempted elimination of the Palestinian presence in Northern Gaza. With the world’s attention distracted by Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, Israel has ordered the forced displacement of 400,000 people and appears to be implementing its so-called “General’s Plan” to “cleanse” Northern Gaza of Palestinian life. CJPME believes that time is running out to prevent Israel from committing a historic massacre and reiterates its call for direct Canadian diplomatic intervention and a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel and sanctions on Israeli leaders. 

“By failing to impose sanctions when Israel ordered the forcible displacement of more than 1 million people last year, Trudeau emboldened Israel to escalate its barbaric measures and attempt to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Northern Gaza,” said Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. “It is unbelievable that Canada continues to talk about protecting Israeli security while that country pursues the large-scale dispossession of 400,000 Palestinian civilians before our very eyes.”

Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations have raised the alarm that Israel appears to be implementing the so-called “General’s Plan,” which proposes to turn the Northern Gaza Strip into a closed military zone, cut off all remaining food and water access, order all residents to flee, then treat everyone who remains as a combatant. According to the plan, this would force Palestinians to choose to “surrender or die of starvation,” allowing Israel to “enter and cleanse the area of Gaza City with almost no enemy.” Israeli soldiers have confirmed to Haaretz that this plan is underway, and that “whoever will remain in the north will be considered an enemy and will be killed.” Meanwhile, CJPME notes that the Israeli government has abandoned hostage talks and is instead preparing for the gradual annexation of parts of Gaza.

Earlier this month, Israel ordered the 400,000 Palestinians remaining in Northern Gaza to leave their homes and flee to the South, while simultaneously making any safe travel impossible due to constant attacks from Israeli airstrikes and snipers. The World Food Programme warns that the North has been cut off from access to food aid, while humanitarian agencies have also been obstructed from providing health services and clean water. Over the weekend, Israeli strikes targeted hospital tents, burning at least four people to death; hit a UN-run school that was administering polio vaccines, and was crowded with displaced people seeking shelter; and killed people waiting for food at a distribution centre.  

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, VP CJPME: 613-315-7947 or [email protected].

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East www.cjpme.org

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