‘This Will Not Soon Be Forgotten’: Canada’s Backing of UN Ceasefire Resolution Divides Liberals, Angers Jewish Community

A rally in support of the hostages taken by Hamas as well as the Jewish community in Israel and Canada was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Dec. 4, 2023. Participants were seen holding signs that read "Free the Hostages." (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)

Jewish advocacy groups are criticizing Canada’s decision to back a U.N. resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with the country reversing its position held since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.

“We’re disgusted and frankly shocked that only hours after issuing a statement preconditioning a ceasefire on Hamas releasing the hostages, stopping its use of Palestinians as human shields, laying down its arms, and surrendering its control of Gaza, Canada voted YES to a UN General Assembly resolution supporting a ceasefire.,” the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said in a statement on Dec. 12.

The CIJA added that amid the rise in anti-Semitism, the Canadian Jewish community “will not forget” that Ottawa chose to ignore Israel’s right and obligation to self-defence.

The development came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a joint statement with Australia and New Zealand on Dec. 12 that reiterated Canada’s broad position on the conflict, saying Israel has a right to exist and to defend itself, but also indicating that Canada had reversed its opinion on the matter of the ceasefire. It also said “Israel must respect international humanitarian law.”

Until then, Canada had called for a “humanitarian pause,” but the new statement says Canada supports “urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire.”

The statement also condemned Hamas and its terror attacks, which initiated the latest round of hostilities.

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Mr. Trudeau told reporters on Dec. 12 that he held a “long and detailed” conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Canada’s position.

In mid-November, Mr. Netanyahu publicly rebuked Mr. Trudeau after he criticized Israel’s approach to dealing with Hamas.

The U.N. resolution adopted by Canada and other member states on the afternoon of Dec. 12 “demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” while stating that it “does not condemn Hamas or make any specific reference to the extremist group.”

Canada voted in favour along with 152 other countries, while 23 abstained and 10 opposed, including the United States.

Michael Levitt, a former Liberal MP and current head of the advocacy group Friends of Simon Wiesenthal, said he is “appalled” by Canada’s change in policy at the U.N.

“Denying Israel’s right to defend itself, as this resolution does, will not bring peace to the region but rather embolden the terrorists and those who fund the terror, namely Iran,” he wrote on platform X. “This will not soon be forgotten.”

Responses to the vote from current Liberal MPs have been split. MPs Marco Mendicino and Anthony Housefather have said they don’t support Canada’s stance at the U.N.

“I do not support its call for Israel to agree to what is, effectively, an unconditional ceasefire,” wrote Mr. Mendicino on X.

Both politicians were part of a small delegation of MPs who visited Israel in November and met with survivors of the Oct. 7 massacre, which claimed around 1,200 lives.

Jewish MPs like Mr. Housefather have been vocal in recent weeks about their support for Israel, but some have also backed the latest government position. Liberal MP Rachel Bendayan remarked to reporters on Dec. 12 that Canada’s ceasefire request is “conditional.”

“I agree with the principle that violence must stop,” she said.

Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi had pushed for Canada to call for a ceasefire and welcomed the government’s latest moves.

He was asked by reporters whether he believes Hamas can be expected to respect a ceasefire after breaking the humanitarian truce in recent days.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization, the law is very clear and our position is very clear,” replied Mr. Zuberi.

“But we are also clear that we need to see these hostilities end, that we need to see that there'll be peace in the Middle East, that we need to see the creation of a viable Palestinian state where both Jews and Palestinians can live in peace and security.”

Mr. Zuberi was also asked whether the Liberal government changed its stance because Muslim donors had started to pull their financial support from the Liberal Party.

“You had Canadians coast-to-coast expressing themselves, of all backgrounds, and we listened,” he said.

CBC reported Dec. 8 that a network of influential Muslim donors was pulling back from the Liberals over the government’s decision not to call for a ceasefire.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly was questioned by reporters on Dec. 12 about that issue and on what other reason Canada would have for changing its position.

Ms. Joly said the government “took stock” of what transpired with the end of the humanitarian pause and the resumption of violence.

“I’ve been having so many diplomatic conversations and tough conversations with the Israeli government, with also the Palestinian Authority over the weekend, and also with many members from either the Western countries or Arab League countries,” she said.

Ms. Joly met in Ottawa with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority on Dec. 9.

“At one point, what we need to all agree upon, is the need for lasting peace,” said Ms. Joly.