Ottawa -- Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV) commends the Trudeau government for its statement yesterday, demanding an immediate investigation into the killings of Palestinian protesters by Israeli snipers in Gaza, and rightly calling Israel’s use of excessive force and live ammunition “inexcusable”.
“We are pleased to see Trudeau break his long-held silence on Israel’s reprehensible actions and applaud him for calling for an investigation,” said Corey Balsam, IJV National Coordinator. “We recommend, however, that the Canadian government look closely at the statements issued by the Canadian Greens and New Democratic Party, who appear to have more of the facts on hand.” Since protests began on March 30, Israeli snipers have shot and killed over 110 civilians, including clearly-marked journalists and medical professionals, and wounded thousands.
Meanwhile, a Canadian Jewish-Israel lobby organization is shamelessly defending Israel’s actions. Echoing Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and official Michael Oren, recently interviewed on CBC radio, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is attempting to shift the blame away from Israel for its military campaign against civilian protesters. Claiming to represent the “Jewish community’s concerns” on this issue, CIJA suggests that “Hamas has left Israel no choice but to use force”. The group demanded a meeting with Canadian PM Trudeau to express their “deep disappointment” about his government’s statement.
IJV strongly opposes CIJA’s position and calls on the Trudeau government to stand firm and let the facts speak for themselves. “Increasingly, the hawkish language of right-wing Jewish-Israel lobby groups is revealing itself as little more than PR for the Israeli government,” said Balsam. “The idea that Palestinian demonstrating for their freedom are to blame for getting shot en masse with live ammunition is nothing short of absurd, and people aren’t buying it. CIJA’s claim to represent the concerns of a supposed monolithic Jewish community is also disingenuous. In fact Jews around the world, including in Canada, have been taking to the streets and social media in unprecedented numbers, refusing to stay silent.”
IJV also extends sympathies to Canadian MD Tarek Loubani who was shot in his legs while responding to medical emergencies involving bullet wounds and tear gas.
“In recent weeks, it has become clear to observers, that the Israeli government does not care about international law and human rights and that much stronger action is needed to put an end to its ongoing assault on the Palestinian people, now in its seventh decade,” said Balsam. “Trudeau’s statement was a small step in the right direction, but it’s time the Canadian government took a much stronger stance against Israel. We call on the Canadian government to demand an end to the occupation, including the Gaza blockade, and to immediately suspend all military trade with Israel.
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