Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) has provided Canadians with an easy way to support the South African invocation of the UN’s Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). If the ICJ finds merit in the South African case against Israel, the Court could impose “provisional measures,” including an end to Israel’s military operations against Gaza.  We can let our government know where we Canadians stand by telling them in a letter.

CJPME has even provided the letter, which we can send as is. https://www.cjpmecontent.org/support_icj_case

Or, if you’re like me, there is more you might want to say. My version of the letter is a quite a bit longer than CJPME’s because I am really upset and want the Canadian Government that doesn’t represent me to know that. If you’re interested in reading my version for yourself, here it is:

Mr Netanyahu and his government have claimed the right of self defense against Hamas, but retaliation is not self defense. Raining death and destruction against the Palestinian people is an ongoing act of collective punishment.

Since October 7, the IDF has not only killed thousands of innocent Palestinians, it has actively killed at least three of the Israeli hostages, and likely more as a direct result of months of indiscriminate bombing of Gaza.

During the October crisis, Canada imposed the War Measures Act, it didn’t bomb Montreal into oblivion in retaliation against the FLQ.

Even if you agree with Mr Netanyahu’s opinion that Palestinians are only “human animals,” this policy has not and will not eliminate Hamas, or even bring the perpetrators to justice.

South Africa has taken the principled step of invoking the UN’s Genocide Convention, which could mean finally putting an end to Israel’s brutal war on Palestinians if the court decides to impose provisional measures. I expect Canada to support South Africa’s effort to hold perpetrators of genocide accountable before the World Court!

How can you have listened to the South African case at the ICJ and chosen to oppose it?

South Africa’s case identifies many statements of Israeli leaders expressing genocidal intent. These dehumanizing and violent beliefs are driving Israel’s actions in Gaza, including the killing of well over 20,000 Palestinians and inflicting conditions of life intended to destroy the population.

A few years ago Mr Trudeau apologized for Canada’s craven act of turning away the MS St Louis, which consigned hundreds of innocents to death. The Prime Minister said the Liberal government of the day “was unmoved by the plight of these refugees.” How can the Liberal Government of today stand unmoved by the plight of the captive population in Gaza, particularly when more than half are children? Apologies are meaningless if we knowingly repeat the mistake.

Can you summon no empathy for the children? Close your eyes and imagine that it was your child who suffered the loss of home and family, been dehydrated, malnourished, starved, exposed to the elements,buried under rubble, maimed, infected, forced to endure amputations without anesthetic, and even consigned to death in this unprecedented humanitarian disaster?

Canada’s failure to support South Africa’s case at the ICJ goes beyond demonstration of a callous disregard for human rights, it will make the government of Canada complicit in what may very well be the death of millions.

As a signatory to the Genocide Convention, Canada has an indisputable responsibility to prevent and punish genocide wherever it occurs. I demand that Canada fully support South Africa’s case and help bring an end to the violence and death in Gaza.

If Canada wants to be seen as a “Rule of Law” country, it’s time our government began to live up to the International Treaties it has signed, and stand for International Laws, even when our friends break them.

If “never again” doesn’t apply to Palestinians, it doesn’t apply to anyone. 

Regards,
Laurel L Russwurm

https://www.cjpmecontent.org/support_icj_case

One of Israel’s contentions is that all the citizens of Gaza are responsible for the actions of Hamas. But they aren’t. Hamas may seem to be the Government of Gaza, but it isn’t really.  The last election was in 2006. I can tell you from personal experience that it is ridiculous to blame me for what the Canadian (or Ontario) Government(s) do, because despite voting in every election, my vote has never secured me representation in Parliament or the Legisative Assembly of Ontario. 

Neither Palestine or Gaza have been allowed self determination or to have a free state. The Palestinian Territories have pretty much been occupied one way or another for 75 years. Even though Israel supposedly withdrew from Gaza, it has blockaded the Palestinian Territory for years, deciding what can go in or out. Palesrtinians getting too close to the exits get shot. Blaming Palestinians for Hamas is adding insult to injury.

I haven’t watched all of the Israeli response at the ICJ, but from what I have seen, it seems the defence revolves around the ridiculous claim that Hamas is committing genocide against Israel. Online comments tend to run to Ad Hominems against South Africa for daring to get involved. When you have to resort to Ad Hominems, you aren’t winning the argument.

In the 3 months of Israel’s retaliation for October 7th, 2023, the occupying power has been targeting civilian infrastructure, destroying water and waste treatment facilities, along with more than three quarters of the housing stock, schools,mosques and churches. 

They have also been targeting civilians, as well as killing record numbers of the press, humanitarian aid and health care workers, displacing millions of civilians, rendering most hospitals inactive, and leaving the few still struggling to provide care in the midst of this humanitarian crisis without lifesaving medical supplies. Without anesthesia, many of the wounded, including perhaps a thousand children, have endured amputation without any kind of pain relief at all. More than 1% of the population has been killed, untold numbers are buried under the rubble, with many more left injured. Lack of food, fuel and shelter, infection and illness will kill many more even if the bombs stop falling. This is a genocide unfolding in real time before our eyes. 

Please contact your Member of Parliament as many times as it takes. 

This must stop.

Image Credit: Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, South African Legal Team at the International Court of Justice re: the Genocide Convention by @UN_News_Centre