Montreal, August 15, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is alarmed to learn that the Canadian government has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to drop an advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s occupation and annexation. Last December, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted 87-26 to request that the ICJ render an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation” of Palestinian territory, with Canada voting in the minority against the resolution. In a letter dated July 14, 2023, which was obtained by CJPME, Canada has now formally asked the ICJ to “decline the request” from the UNGA.