A group of 190 former senior Canadian diplomats has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to implement firm sanctions against Israel in response to escalating violence and humanitarian crises in Palestinian territories and Lebanon. The diplomats warn that Israel’s actions are contributing to severe regional instability and call for immediate government intervention.
The letter, distributed to media outlets, demands a thorough review of Canada’s trade agreement with Israel. It urges the government to announce the suspension of the strategic partnership agreement should Israel’s policies fail to improve. The former diplomats cite Israel’s enforcement of restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza and increased settler violence in the West Bank, which Jewish officials reportedly see as a move to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Concerns also extend to the military campaign in Lebanon, where the high civilian death toll suggests to the signatories potential violations of international law, despite Israeli claims that the strikes target Hezbollah. This appeal follows a previous letter last year that pushed for Canada to halt all arms trade with Israel.
In parallel, Senator Yuen Pau Woo has urged the Canadian government to act on a joint statement made with France and the United Kingdom a year ago. That statement warned of “concrete actions” should humanitarian aid restrictions in Gaza persist, highlighting ongoing international pressure for Canada to take a stronger stance.