The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) calls upon Prime Minister Carney and the Canadian government to unequivocally condemn the Israeli government’s newly approved plan to seize, occupy, and permanently control the entirety of the Gaza Strip. This expansionist policy, described by Israeli officials as a plan to “conquer” Gaza, represents not only a gross violation of international law but a continuation of the genocidal campaign that has already claimed the lives of over 62,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children.
According to multiple credible reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Security Cabinet have unanimously approved an “intensive” military operation aimed at fully occupying Gaza, displacing its population, and asserting control over humanitarian aid delivery through private contractors. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich brazenly declared, “We are finally going to conquer Gaza. We are no longer afraid of the word ‘occupation’.” This is a chilling admission of intent to impose permanent military rule over a civilian population – an act that fundamentally breaches the Fourth Geneva Convention and the core principles of the UN Charter.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has rightly sounded the alarm, stating that the planned expansion “will inevitably lead to countless more civilians killed and the further destruction of Gaza.” He reiterated, “Gaza is, and must remain, an integral part of a future Palestinian state.” These warnings must not fall on deaf ears.
Let us be clear: the planned full-scale occupation of Gaza constitutes an illegal annexation attempt, mass forced displacement, and collective punishment – each a serious violation of international humanitarian law. It is an affront to humanity and a direct assault on the fundamental right of Palestinians to self-determination, freedom, and dignity. Any expansion of Israeli control over Gaza undermines prospects for peace, destabilizes the region, and risks setting a horrific precedent for state-led apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this unfolding atrocity.
We call on Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Canadian government to take an immediate and unequivocal public stand. Canada claims to uphold the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty in the international system, as it has done vocally in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and most recently with President Trump’s constant proposition to annex Canada as the 51st state.
CMPAC urges the Canadian government to:
- Publicly condemn Netanyahu’s plan to occupy all of Gaza and reject any attempt at permanent Israeli control over Palestinian territory.
- Demand immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to all of Gaza via UN and neutral agencies, in response to Israel’s over 65-day starvation campaign and obstruction of aid in violation of international law.
- Call for a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from all parts of Gaza, and a path toward a just peace rooted in Palestinian self-determination.
- Impose a two-way arms embargo on Israel and suspend all military trade, transfers, and cooperation with the Israeli government.
- Immediately recognize the State of Palestine and increase political pressure on the Israeli government to pursue a just and peaceful resolution.
The Canadian government has a moral and legal obligation to act. The time for carefully worded statements is over. We demand decisive, principled action to halt this catastrophe.
