Israel overusing force: Ottawa
Liberal policy statement plays up Sharon's 'disproportionate' response: Raids, bombings continue
Robert Fife, Ottawa Bureau Chief
National Post
MP Irwin Cotler
OTTAWA - Canada yesterday condemned Israel for its "disproportionate use" of military force against Palestinians and called for an immediate ceasefire.
The Foreign Affairs department issued a policy statement criticizing Israel for stoking violence in the Middle East by sending tanks and troops into Palestinian-controlled areas in the West Bank and Gaza.
Israel has ordered up 20,000 army reserves and continued yesterday to sweep deep into the hearts of towns and cities in the search for Palestinian suicide bombers, militants and their weapons.
In Ramallah, Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian President, was further isolated when Israeli troops blocked access to envoys from the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia.
In West Jerusalem, a policeman was injured when a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb. In the West Bank towns of Tulkarem and Bethlehem, Palestinian gunmen executed a total of 11 people suspected of collaborating with Israel.
Although Canada also urged Mr. Arafat to end the suicide bombings and other terrorist assaults, Foreign Affairs reserved its toughest criticism for Israel.
"Canada condemns all terrorist attacks and calls on Chairman Arafat to take all necessary action to condemn further violence," said Reynald Doiron, reading from Canada's official policy.
"Canada also calls for withdrawal of Israeli troops from Ramallah and other Palestinian controlled areas. While Canada recognizes Israel's right to self-defence, the disproportionate use of force and the reoccupation of Palestinian controlled areas will only lead to further violence."
Canadian Arab leaders hailed Canada's criticism of Israel and urged Canadian Jews to denounce the hardline policies of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister.
"I am very pleased with the stand that the government is taking. It's about time," said John Asfour, president of the Canadian Arab Federation. "Mr. Sharon has declared war and I think it's not only the Canadian government but I call on Canadian Jews and Jews in Israel to get rid of Mr. Sharon and his policies because he is just wreaking destruction and havoc on Palestinians and Israelis."
Keith Landy, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said Canada's policy does not reflect reality. "Israel is fighting a war of terrorism. It is hypocritical and disingenuous for the Canadian government to take a position to call upon Israel not to pursue terrorists with all its might," he said.
Mr. Landy, who yesterday participated in a telephone conference call with Mr. Sharon and Jewish leaders from more than 10 nations, said the Chrétien government must understand Palestinians have adopted suicide bombings as a strategic choice.
"We have seen a spate of suicide bombings in the last few days that I don't believe any civilized, democratic country could withstand. What Israel is doing is nothing less than rooting out terrorists."
Rochelle Wilner, president of B'nai Brith Canada, said Canada should declare its "abhorrence and intolerance of unrelenting Palestinian terrorism and the duplicity of Yasser Arafat that allows it to continue."
The opposition parties yesterday said Canada should offer to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urged Jean Chrétien to end his silence on the escalating conflict.
The Prime Minister, who is on vacation in Morocco, has had little to say about the rising violence. He issued a statement last Thursday deploring the Passover suicide bombing that killed 22 Israelis.
John Reynolds, interim leader of the Official Opposition, noted the Prime Minister found time for a telephone conference call with journalists on Saturday to discuss the death of the Queen Mother.
"We would like to see some evidence of the Prime Minister showing some concern about [the Middle East]. We haven't heard a thing," the Canadian Alliance's Mr. Reynolds said.
"He's got time to comment on the Queen Mother's passing, which is right and proper, but we should hear from him what his thoughts are on this issue also."
An official in Mr. Chrétien's office said the Prime Minister did not intend to speak about the Middle East while on vacation.
Bill Graham, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has scheduled a conference call with journalists today.
Mr. Reynolds said Canada has always been respected by both sides of the conflict in the Middle East and urged the Prime Minister to offer Canada's services as a mediator.
"We have always had a great image as peacekeepers. We should be telling them both that [violence] doesn't work. Nobody wants a war in the Middle East," Mr. Reynolds said.
"Canada should be using its influence to try to bring these people together in a peaceful manner. Nothing is benefitted from the suicide bombings or the tanks on the other side."
The Canadian Alliance also appears to have undergone a shift in its policy toward Israel since Stephen Harper became leader. His predecessor, Stockwell Day, was strongly supportive of Israel, accused the Palestinians of "premeditated acts of terrorism" against innocent Israelis and blamed Canada for adopting "blatantly anti-Israel" policies.
Yesterday, Mr. Reynolds said both Israel and the Palestinians are responsible for the violence.
"Our position is that they are both at fault and let's try and solve this issue and let's get a ceasefire and get them to the table. A war is not going to solve this issue. It will just make it more difficult for both sides."
Bill Casey, the Conservative foreign affairs critic, also urged Canada to take over as chief mediator, arguing the Bush administration is considered biased in favour of Israel.
"The perception is that they are one-sided and once you do that, you lose the ability to help," Mr. Casey said. "We should be offering to help to either mediate or play a role. We have a different image and perspective than the United States."
Mr. Casey, who spoke recently by telephone with Mr. Arafat, said he is confident the Palestinians would be in favour of Canada playing the role of mediator.
"They are interested in Canada and I believe if Canada does present itself as interested in helping, I think they would welcome us."
rfife@nationalpost.com |
