Canada’s statement at United Nations General Assembly Fourth Committee Debate on Israeli Practices in the Occupied Territories

November 19, 2024 – New York City, New York

The premise of Canada’s votes on the Middle East have in the last twenty years been affected by our view that the issues between the parties should be negotiated and settled between them within the framework of two states living side by side in peace and security.

They have also been premised on the fact that there are too many resolutions on this issue, and we oppose initiatives at the United Nations and in other multilateral forums that unfairly single out Israel for criticism. ‎Canada rejects one-sided resolutions at such forums that seek to politicize such issues.

With this past terrible year of pain, loss and suffering, we must come to grips with the steps that are essential for a lasting peace.

Hamas’s horrific terrorist attacks on October 7 must never be forgotten. Nothing can justify these acts of terror, which included the killing, maiming, and kidnapping of civilians, as well as sexual violence used as a deliberate tool of warfare. We insist on the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages—who have been in Hamas captivity for more than 400 days.

That attack has been followed by a widening of the war, with attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon, leading to the forced internal displacement of tens of thousands in northern Israel, and other attacks from the Houthis in Yemen, from terrorist groups in Syria, Iraq, and within the West Bank, as well as the State of Iran.

Jews around the world have been subjected to anti-Semitic attacks of all kinds, the revival of an ancient and vicious hatred erupting once again.

We defend Israel’s right to self-defence, especially given the irresponsible attacks by the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies. At the same time, we also insist that Israel’s right to self-defence need to be within the bounds of international law. All wars have rules. Whatever their origin, and whoever has committed them, illegal acts of all kinds must be met by a firm response.

There must be accountability for any breaches of international law, the laws governing military conflict, and international humanitarian law. These include the Charter of the United Nations, the International Declaration on Human Rights, binding decisions of the Security Council, all the Geneva Conventions, the Conventions on Genocide, Torture and the Rights of Children in Armed Conflict and the Rome Statute.

The humanitarian situation was terrible at this time last year, and today it is much worse. We hear credible reports of famine and catastrophic conditions in Northern Gaza. Nearly all Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced from their homes since October 7, 2023. Many have been displaced repeatedly, some 10 times or more. At the time of this debate last year, the death toll in Gaza was 10,000. Today, it is reportedly more than 44,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are civilians and children, and more than 10,000 missing. The world and history are watching as civilians are being killed every day, and every hour. We have an obligation to end this terrible conflict.

Canada’s support for UNRWA is based on the practical reality that it is the agency that is best placed to assist in delivering lifesaving assistance. We continue to insist on a well governed, neutral agency and this is why we strongly support the reforms proposed by the Colonna report. Politics must not in any way conflict or interfere with the provision of food, aid, health and social services and education to the Palestinian refugee communities.

The expansion of settlements has accelerated in the West Bank, settler violence has continued with impunity, and elements of the Government of Israel are now talking about new settlements in Gaza as well as complete annexation of the West Bank. These actions – all of which Canada consider to be in violation of the 4th Geneva Convention – put a two-state solution further out of reach. As such, we condemn this extremist settler violence, and we have called on the Israeli authorities to protect civilians and ensure accountability for perpetrators. Canada, together with our partners, has imposed three rounds of sanctions against perpetrators of extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, just as we do in other contexts when we see violations of human rights and international law. We shall continue to do so.

Canada’s longstanding position is that it does not recognize permanent Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967. Israel has ongoing obligations as an occupying power, in particular with respect to the humane treatment of Palestinians living in the occupied territories.

As a result of the request originating in this Committee, the International Court of Justice has provided an Advisory Opinion in which it expressed its position that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful”, and in July, our Prime Minister together with his counterparts from Australia and New Zealand called on Israel to “respond substantively to the ICJ’s advisory opinion, and ensure accountability for ongoing acts of violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers, reverse the record expansion of settlements in the West Bank which are illegal under international law, and work towards a two-state solution.”

We have seen no evidence that this is taking place. Our votes will reflect these developments.

Furthermore, inflammatory rhetoric and actions surrounding the Temple Mount/Haram Al Sharif holy compound in East Jerusalem does not advance the cause for peace and only serves to aggravate tensions. The sanctity and the status of holy sites must be respected.

Action needs to be taken toward preserving the two-state solution. This means continuing to insist that terrorism, hate speech, and denial of the existence and the legitimate rights of the other have to stop. The Palestinian Authority must not be deprived of its funds and its rights and obligations to do its work. Undermining and denigrating the Authority undermines security and governance in the West Bank.

Canada recognizes the work and responsibilities of the Palestinian Authority and maintains its mission in Ramallah as a reflection of our belief that Palestinian self-determination is a foundational step in the achievement of its legitimate aspirations. We are proud of our friendship with the Palestinian people, and will continue to work with the legitimate leadership of the Authority with respect and support, just as our friendship and support for the people and the State of Israel will thrive despite the turmoil of this current conflict.

Through all the tragedy of this terrible conflict Canada remains committed to the path that can best guarantee sustainable peace and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians.

To get there, we must see the release of hostages, an immediate ceasefire, an end to settlement expansion, the enforcement of accountability for wrongdoing, a return to negotiations, and the mutual and international recognition of two-states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

Canada’s position has been consistent since our support for Partition of the British Mandate in 1947. That vote led in turn to Israeli independence and admission to the United Nations. We continue to call for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to settle all outstanding issues between them and to allow for the mutual recognition of two states, Israel and Palestine. These negotiations should occur without preconditions and within well-established principles of international law.