Canada backs call for Gaza ceasefire in UN resolution vote

Canada has voted in favour of a non-binding United Nations resolution calling for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The vote on Tuesday marks a move away from years of Canadian policy that has had the country backing Israel on major resolutions at the UN, having argued that the state is often unfairly called out on the global stage.

The federal government says it is the carnage in the Gaza Strip that led it to change track.

“We must recognize that what is unfolding before our eyes will only enhance the cycle of violence,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Tuesday on Parliament Hill.

“This will not lead to the durable defeat of Hamas, which is necessary, and the threat that it poses to Israel. With the future of Israelis and Palestinians in mind, Canada is joining the international call for humanitarian ceasefire.”

Hostages must be released. Foreign nationals, including Canadians, must be able to leave Gaza, and more aid must be able to enter. Hamas must lay down its weapons. Canada supports efforts to a sustainable ceasefire, which cannot be one-sided.https://t.co/Ud08EHmWwo

— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) December 13, 2023

Joly reaffirmed that, from the beginning, Canada has stated that Israel has the right to defend itself.

“And how Israel defends itself matters. It matters for the future of both Israelis and Palestinians, and it matters for the future of the region,” she added.

The war was sparked on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and had 240 more taken hostage.

Israel retaliated with the bombardment of the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, while simultaneously cutting off its supply to many essential supplies.

Local authorities have reported that upwards of 18,000 Palestinians have been killed thus far.

“Thousands of children are now orphans,” Joly said Tuesday.

“Countless Palestinian civilians in Gaza are suffering without water, food, fuel or medicine and their homes have been reduced to rubble.”

The vote itself drew mixed reactions from within Canada.

In the viewpoint of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, Canada’s support of a ceasefire is a “milestone” that needs to translate into “the reality of action and deeds.”

Meanwhile, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said it was “disgusted and frankly shocked” given that the motion does not explicitly call out Hamas for its crimes or urge the group to surrender.

“Canada’s decision to support the resolution will undoubtedly lead to further hate being directed towards Jews here in Canada,” the group’s head Shimon Koffler Fogel said in a statement.

Hamas “cannot be rewarded and left unaccountable,” said the group, which represents Jewish federations across Canada.

Canada has voiced support for a U.S. amendment to the resolution put forward Tuesday that would have explicitly condemned Hamas. However, the amendment failed to gain the support of two-third of the assembly in order for it to be adopted.

UN ambassador Bob Rae told the assembly that Canada supports a humanitarian ceasefire, because it is a necessary step in calling for an end to the “continuous” suffering of Palestinian civilians.

“We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza,” he said, while noting Canada’s support for the unsuccessful amendment to the motion.

“The ongoing humanitarian crisis has weighed heavily in Canada’s decision to support this resolution.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Israel and Hamas to work towards a “sustainable ceasefire” in a joint statement released alongside the leaders of New Zealand and Australia that outlined a series of stances on the war.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton man urges Canadian government to help extended family in Gaza

The statement urged Hamas to release the hostages still being held from its “heinous” attack on Israel, while noting the group’s responsibility for sexual violence and use of “Palestinian civilians as human shields.”

Together, the leaders called for “safe and unimpeded humanitarian access” to enter into the Gaza Strip and for Israel to halt its siege of the territory.

It read, in part, that while Hamas cannot be allowed to govern Gaza, Israel cannot reoccupy the land nor displace Palestinians.

Today, I spoke with Prime Minister @Netanyahu about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and Canada’s support for the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. More details here: https://t.co/LpzizmMj71

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 13, 2023

Trudeau said that just hours before the UN vote, he had a “long and detailed conversation” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“It is about time the Liberals call for a ceasefire. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have advocated for weeks for the Liberals to shift their position,” said NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson, adding that meaningful action must now follow.

“It’s up to the Liberals to explain whether they are calling on Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire today or whether this is just lip service towards Liberal donors fleeing the party because of the government’s lack of moral courage.”

The Conservatives have yet to speak directly to Canada’s vote at the United Nations.

“We call for an immediate end to the conflict by having Hamas turn over hostages and all weapons and surrendering unconditionally,” a spokesman for the party said. “That will allow for perpetrators to be held accountable, civilian rebuilding and talks towards a permanent peace to the benefit of all.”

This report was created with files from The Canadian Press