By e-mail - Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
Mr. Prime Minister:
Your government's unconditional support for the proposition that the massive eleven day assault on Gaza and its civilian population by Israel is justifiable “self defense” ignores the reality that, by any reasonable measure, the assault is disproportionate in the extreme.
After twelve days, the Palestinian death toll from the assault has reached over 660, the majority of whom are civilians, one third of them children. After eleven days, electricity is cut and fuel, drinking water and food are scarce for 1.5 million people. A United Nations spokesperson has concluded that the situation is “by any measure a humanitarian crisis.” Many world leaders have agreed.
Political views of the Israel-Palestine conflict aside, this humanitarian crisis alone justifies Canada's intervention. Canada can and must push for an immediate ceasefire in the region, and for measures that will enhance the ability of humanitarian relief systems to function properly and provide the services and support that the Gaza population so desperately needs and deserves. To do otherwise provides Israel with license to escalate its assault on Gaza regardless of the consequences.
We join the voices of Canadians from coast to coast to coast calling on you to act now.
Sincerely,
John Gordon
National President
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
