September 23, 2024 – Oaville, The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) demands the Canadian government to publicly condemn Israel’s recent military assault on Lebanon, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of a UN member state. Reports indicate that these airstrikes have indiscriminately targeted civilian areas, resulting in over 356 deaths and 1,246 injured, mostly innocent civilians in Southern and Eastern Lebanon including Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. Israel continues to carry out attacks that breach international humanitarian law, particularly the obligation to distinguish between military targets and civilians. Furthermore, these actions violate the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of another sovereign state without explicit authorization from the UN Security Council. The escalating tensions and significant casualties from these assaults further destabilize an already volatile situation in the region.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate halt to the violence, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint. He emphasized the necessity of adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. Guterres warned that the continued escalation of violence could have catastrophic consequences for both Lebanon and the broader Middle East. In addition, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, expressed concern over rising casualties and the displacement of over 100,000 people from southern Lebanon. She also underscored that this ongoing violence threatens regional stability and necessitates rapid de-escalation: “The risk to security and stability, not only in Lebanon but also in the region, could not be clearer or graver.”
Israel’s aggression toward Lebanon is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy of unchecked militarism. If left unchallenged by the international community, this pattern of illegal and disproportionate use of force will continue, further destabilizing the region and eroding prospects for peace. The lack of accountability for the ongoing violations of international law in Gaza has emboldened Israel to extend its military aggression beyond Gaza and the West Bank, now risking the safety and stability of Lebanon.
CMPAC calls on the Canadian government and the international community to publicly condemn the Israeli attack and apply immediate diplomatic pressure, including targeted sanctions, to hold Israel accountable for its actions. This is a critical moment for global leadership, as Canada must lead by example in upholding international law rather than enabling a cycle of violence and impunity. The international community must recognize that Israel’s actions threaten not only Lebanon but also pose a broader risk to peace and security in the Middle East. Failure to act now will only encourage further violations and deepen instability in the region.
