October 7, 2026 – Today marks three years into the beginning of a genocidal campaign in Gaza committed by the Israeli government as described by many Genocide experts. Over the last three years, many around the world have witnessed the realities that Palestinians in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza have been living through for decades: occupation, apartheid and war crimes. Today, we are taking time to reflect on what the last three years have meant for Palestinians, the destruction of lives and infrastructure, and the conditions that make it possible to live with dignity.
Today, CMPAC published a commentary on three years into the genocide in Gaza, reflecting on the killing of thousands Palestinians including women and children, the gross and inhumane treatment of Palestinian prisoners, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the systematic targeting of essential services, and the devastating impact of the genocide on Palestinian families and communities. Over the last three years, more than 74,200 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military, including at least 21,638 children, while more than 8,000 people remain missing under the rubble and are presumed dead. Approximately 90% of Gaza’s population, around two million people, half of them children, have been forcibly displaced. At the same time, Israel has systematically destroyed homes, neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure across the Gaza Strip, with at least 92% of homes damaged or destroyed, leaving much of Gaza uninhabitable. The scale of this devastation demands not only recognition, but accountability and meaningful action grounded in international law.
At the same time domestically, we have seen federal legislation and policy measures that seek to restrict protest rights and advocacy in support of Palestinian human rights. We remain concerned about efforts to use legislation to restrict dissent and legitimate advocacy. Legislative measures that limit fundamental freedoms, further eroding trust and limiting the space for peaceful civic engagement. Unfortunately, these legislative attempts to combat hate may increase social tensions and polarization. Political leadership should show leadership and initiative towards building social cohesion and forging tolerance among diverse communities, while safeguarding fundamental freedoms and protecting against hate. CMPAC remains committed to combatting all forms of hate and racism, including Islamophobia and AntiSemitism.
Three years into the genocide in Gaza, Canada must correct its path. CMPAC calls on the Canadian government to take action against ongoing Israeli violations of international law, and align its policies with its international legal obligations and the findings of the International Court of Justice. This means ending economic and military ties that enable these violations, including ending CIFTA and establishing a two-way arms embargo, and requiring federally funded institutions and corporations to divest from entities connected to Israeli military capacity or settlement infrastructure. As Canadians and people around the world increasingly demand that their leaders respond to the genocide in Gaza, Canada must heed that call and take meaningful action to uphold its obligations under international law.
