Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our world is increasingly becoming volatile as geopolitical tensions and nationalistic ambitions shatter the once stable international order that has prevailed since the end of the last world war. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza are evidence that those nations who love peace cannot be complacent in the face of these conflicts. They must act to preserve the fragile order that many have taken for granted for too long.
Mr. Speaker, we must act as well, for as leaders of this Assembly our citizens look to us to uphold peace and justice in our land. As far moved as the North can feel from wars raging across oceans on continents far away, we are all connected by a global community that watches in horror as humanitarian abuses and unrestricted violence are broadcast from our radios, screens, and social media accounts. We cannot and must not bury our head in the sand when so many people in our community are hurting.
Mr. Speaker, this motion concerns itself with the war in Gaza and the many well-documented violations of international and humanitarian law that have occurred since this conflict began. I unequivocally condemn the attacks on Israel carried out by Hamas on October 7th that killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and where terrorist militants seized around 250 hostages. It is believed still that over 134 hostages remain held, including two children. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 70,000 wounded since the war began five months ago according to officials from the Gaza health ministry. The UN says that 2.3 million Palestinians face starvations with 80 percent having displaced -- being displaced from their homes. Violence has surged across the region both in and out of the war zone. It is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Mr. Speaker, this motion also speaks to South Africa's genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. The court said, and I quote, Israel must take all possible measures to prevent acts as outlined in Article 2 of the 1948 genocide convention. This entails not killing Members of a particular group (in this case Palestinians), not causing physical or psychological harm to Members of that group, not inflicting living conditions which are calculated to bring about the end of the existence of people, and not carrying out actions designed to prevent births within that group of people, end quote.
While the International Court of Justice confirmed that it does not have jurisdiction to hear the case against Israel that is in contravention of the Genocide Convention, the court did issue Israel with six emergency orders effectively putting Israel on notice over the war and its brutal bombing campaign. The court's orders are:
- Israel must ensure its military does not carry out any of the above actions;
- Israel must prevent and punish the, quote, "direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip";
- Israel must ensure the delivery of basic services and essential humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza;
- Israel must prevent the destruction of evidence of war crimes in Gaza and allow factfinding missions access;
- Israel must submit a report on all steps it has taken to abide by the measures imposed by the court;
- Within one month of the judgment, South Africa will have the chance to respond to this report.
Mr. Speaker, Canada has always respected international law. This ruling on the International Court of Justice is significant and a dire warning of the potential dangers ahead if these orders are not heeded.
Mr. Speaker, this motion also calls on the Prime Minister of Canada to act. This House should be already aware that the Prime Minister has not been silent on this matter of grave importance, publicly condemning the violence in Gaza and calling for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. In his joint statement with the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand on December 12th last year, the Prime Minister mourned every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in this conflict and said, quote,
We remain deeply concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be increased and sustained. We recommit ourselves to working with partners towards a just and enduring peace in the form of a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognized borders. We condemn rising anti-semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment in our countries and around the world and remain firmly committed to combatting prejudice, hatred, and violent extremism.
I commend the Prime Minister for his words then and his action now to comfort Jewish, Palestinian, and Arab Canadians, that Canada is a place for peace and tolerance between all peoples.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT is a diverse community, small and scattered across vast distances, but it is our compassion and empathy for one another that brings us together as one. My heart breaks for those members of our Jewish and Arab community who have been affected by this violence. I mourn the loss of all innocent life that has been lost in Gaza. And I join in all those calling for peace and an end to hatred, violence, and injustice in our world. Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting this motion. Thank you.