Date: October 12, 2023
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
The intent of this letter is to express the extreme disappointment felt by the muslim and middle eastern communities of Ottawa regarding your lack of support to the Palestinian people, especially within the context of recent events with Israel.
The loss of innocent lives, from either side, is never anything but horrifying. That being said, our communities are extremely saddened to see Canada’s public stance and support be largely one sided, effectively dismissing Israel’s many attacks on Palestine, including the present mass siege on Gaza.
In the past week, the Israeli military has targeted schools, hospitals and neighbourhoods, killing over 1,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of children. Canada has not condemned Israel for this. These last few days, Israel has cut off all food, water, electricity, and humanitarian aid to Gaza, effectively controling and endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Again, Canada has not condemned Israel for this. Over the last several years, Israel has openly committed thousands of inhumane and illegal actions on the Palestinian people, repeatedly breaking international laws, and once again, Canada has not condemned Israel for this.
As proud Canadian citizens, we ask you to consider the following:
First - Can Canada be genuine in its efforts towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada, while simultaneously continuing to support the colonisation, oppression and apartheid happening in Palestine?
Second - How can the tens of thousands of immigrants, and children of immigrants living in Canada, all studying, working, and supporting the Canadian economy, continue to take pride in being Canadian, when that same government chooses not to hold Israel accountable for 75 years’ worth of apartheid and diaspora?
And lastly - Why does Canada insist on labelling all resistance from Palestinian as terrorism, while simultaneously applauding Ukraine’s responses to Russia, the superior military power? Why are Ukraine’s actions labelled as defensive, brave, and are publicly supported, while Gaza is forgotten in the headlines?
Let us be clear: There is a proven and documented history, 75 years long, of structural violence from the State of Israel towards Palestine. Israel is openly breaking international peace laws with the ongoing apartheid. It is present in the lack of Palestinian rights to return or to reclaim their own land. It is seen in the statistics, of millions of Palestinians forced to leave their homes to live in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Canada, United States and around the world. It exists in the 600+ illegal military checkpoints, barriers, roadblocks and walls that Israel has established and currently holds throughout Gaza and the West Bank. It is in every single aspect of Palestinian life. It is a horrible, lived experience for millions of Canadian-Palestinians, their children and grandchildren.
Many of us have visited occupied Palestine over the years and witnessed firsthand the reality of living in constant fear, in poverty, forcibly crammed together in the small pieces of land that Israel has allowed them to keep. We have experienced the fear of speaking Arabic around Israeli authorities, of being forced to show our passports and entry permits at every armed checkpoint, not knowing what violence might come. This is the daily life of a Palestinian.
The muslim and middle eastern communities of Ottawa, along with citizens and allies, regardless of background or religion, empathize and stand with Palestine. Occupation is violent by its own nature. An oppressed people will not remain silent. These are truths.
We ask you to look at history, to see these truths, and to hold Israel accountable for their crimes. We ask that you ensure Canada upholds its morals and stand on the right side of history.
Thank you,
The muslim & middle eastern communities of Ottawa,
citizens and allies