Montreal, February 5, 2025 – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) urges the Canadian government to condemn in the strongest terms US President Trump’s plans to ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people from Gaza. Yesterday, Trump declared that there is no future for Palestinians in Gaza and that the US will “take over” the illegally occupied territory after permanently expelling the population. CJPME argues that this is a clear expression of genocidal intent, and insists that Canada is obliged to consider all means necessary — including sanctions — to protect the people of Gaza from annihilation.
“After Israel systematically destroyed the basic conditions for life in Gaza, Trump is now using this destruction as an excuse to push for ethnic cleansing. Canada cannot quietly allow Trump to move forward with this genocidal plan,” said Michael Bueckert, Interim President of CJPME. Canada, as a signatory to the Genocide Convention, has an obligation to prevent and punish genocide wherever it occurs. “Canada must exert maximum diplomatic and economic pressure on any US or Israeli officials who contribute or conspire to commit genocidal acts,” added Bueckert.
Trump’s remarks came while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, a fugitive wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. His comments were not a one-off event but followed similar statements made a week earlier that he wanted to “clean out that whole thing [Gaza],” an idea which was reportedly coordinated with Israeli officials. Israeli government agencies have been considering plans to expel the population of Gaza since at least October 13, 2023. Trump’s recent proposal has broad public support in Israel with over 80% of Jewish Israelis finding the idea desirable, and it has been welcomed by the so-called moderates in the Israeli opposition including Benny Gantz and Yoav Gallant.
“The failure of the international community to take concrete action in response to Israel’s mass slaughter in Gaza has brought us to the point where the US and Israel feel comfortable talking about ethnic cleansing out in the open. Canada’s silence has allowed for world leaders to normalize genocide, the gravest of all crimes. We cannot allow this for a moment longer. Canada must make a decisive break with this genocidal coalition and act to protect the right of Palestinians to remain on their land and return to their homes,” said Bueckert.