Thursday, March 7, 2024
The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) is reaching out to provide an urgent update regarding the escalating crisis in Palestine as it enters its sixth month.
The latest casualty figures paint a harrowing picture of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy. As of March 4, 2024, the situation in Gaza remains dire. At least 30,534 people have been tragically killed, including more than 12,300 children and over 8,400 women. Additionally, the number of injured individuals stands at over 71,920, with at least 8,663 children and 6,327 women among them. Shockingly, more than 8,000 individuals are still reported missing and 1.9 million people have been displaced. Furthermore, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, attacks on medical facilities, and a prolonged siege have led to severe shortages of essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid. These devastating facts and statistics underscore the need for immediate action to address the crisis and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
As a representative voice of the Canadian Muslim community, the crisis in Palestine deeply resonates with us on both a humanitarian and personal level. We would like to share with you our community’s concerns and seek your support to advocate for meaningful action to address the dire situation.
In particular, we urge elected officials like yourself to pressure the Canadian government to honor its obligation to abide by the ICJ rulings and fulfil their obligations under the Convention to prevent and punish genocide as it relates to the Palestinans in Gaza. To do so demand the Canadian government to do the following:
- Take decisive action to address the famine and hunger crisis in Gaza. Immediate steps must be taken to provide essential aid and support to alleviate the suffering of the Gazan population by increasing and immediately delivering funding to UNRWA, which plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, and putting pressure on Israel to allow uninterrupted and adequate humanitarian aid. The Nutrition Vulnerability and Situation Analysis Report as cited by WHO reveals a steep rise in malnutrition rates among children under 2 years old and pregnant/breastfeeding women. In the northern Gaza Strip, 1 in 6 children under 2 is acutely malnourished, with nearly 3% suffering from severe wasting, a life-threatening condition.
- Stop authorizing arms sales and military exports to Israel, in line with international law. The Trudeau government authorized $28.5 million of new military exports to Israel since October (More details in this report).
- Condemn the Israel Real Estate Seminars in Canadian cities promoting illegal settlements in the West Bank. These seminars violate international and Canadian law and exploit religious institutions for commercial gain. Immediate action is needed to halt these unlawful practices. More details in CMPAC’s statement here.
Furthermore, we would like you to recognize the personal impact of the crisis on Canadian Muslims and those with ties to Palestine and advocate for their rights. They are deeply affected by the crisis and are suffering direct consequences in Canada. Therefore, we expect you as an elected official to do the following;
- Protect Canadians’ right to freely express their opinions in support of Palestine. Recent cancellations of CMPAC’s pro-Palestinian events by Carleton University and Concordia University constitute violations of free speech rights. Additionally, MP Marco Mendocino’s remarks targeting advocates for a Gaza ceasefire must be addressed to safeguard Canadians’ fundamental rights.
- Endorse the recommendations in CMPAC’s Pre-Budget Consultation Submission, emphasizing the critical need for increased budget allocation to combat Islamophobia and support Palestinians coming from Gaza. Strategic budgetary allocations and collaboration with Muslim community organizations are proposed as key strategies to address these issues effectively.
In confronting these pressing challenges, it is evident that a collective effort involving government officials, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens is essential. Through concerted action, we can contribute to the realization of justice and humanitarian relief for the people of Palestine.
We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to delve deeper into these issues with you and explore collaborative solutions. If you have any inquiries regarding the proposals outlined above or would like expert based opinions or direct witness statements to the above we can facilitate a meeting or provide you with additional information and reports.
We look forward to your support and leadership on this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC)
