Today (January 2), CUPE's national president, Paul Moist, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, demanding that "the Canadian government condemn the military assault on the people of Gaza that Israel commenced on December 27, 2008".

"CUPE condemns all acts of violence in the Middle East, including the
Hamas rockets being launched into Israel and the Israeli offensive
mentioned above," Moist wrote. "To date, your government has stated publically your support for the Israeli people to protect themselves from attack. This is a woefully inadequate and frankly shameful response on behalf of Canadians."

In a statement issued on December 27, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said that the Canadian government was concerned about loss of life on all sides.

“Israel has a clear right to defend itself against the continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militant groups which have deliberately targeted civilians," Cannon said. "First and foremost, those rocket attacks must stop. At the same time, we urge both sides to use all efforts to avoid civilian casualties and to create the conditions to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Gaza."

Harper's longstanding support for Israel was recognized on December 4 when the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations awarded Harper with its first International Leadership Award.

“I am deeply honoured to be recognized for helping improve western relations with Israel,” Harper said in a government news release. “Canada stands with Israel, and will stand with any nation willing to put its trust in its people and follow the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

The conference, which represents 50 national Jewish groups, was founded in 1954 to promote the State of Israel in the United States.

Below is Cannon's December 27 statement followed by Moist's letter to the prime minister:

December 27, 2008 (2:30 p.m. EST)

Statement by Minister Lawrence Cannon on the Situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip:

“Canada is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in Southern Israel and the Gaza Strip and by the loss of life and the suffering sustained by all sides.

“Israel has a clear right to defend itself against the continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militant groups which have deliberately targeted civilians. First and foremost, those rocket attacks must stop. At the same time, we urge both sides to use all efforts to avoid civilian casualties and to create the conditions to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Gaza.

“In addition to calling for immediate calm, we urge renewed efforts to reach a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to remain committed to finding a comprehensive peace settlement.”

- 30 -

Paul Moist's letter to the prime minister: 

January 2, 2009

The Right Honorable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

Re: Middle East Crisis

On behalf of the 570,000 members of CUPE I am writing to demand that
the Canadian government condemn the military assault on the people of
Gaza that the State of Israel commenced on December 26, 2008.

CUPE condemns all acts of violence in the Middle East, including the
Hamas rockets being launched into Israel and the Israeli offensive
mentioned above. To date, your government has stated publically your
support for the Israeli people to protect themselves from attack.
This is a woefully inadequate and frankly shameful response on behalf
of Canadians.

Professor Richard Falk, the UN's Special Rapporteur for Human Rights
in the Occupied Territories has characterized the Israeli offensive as
containing "...severe and massive violations of international
humanitarian law as defined in the Geneva Conventions, both
in regards to the obligations of an Occupying Power and in the
requirements of the laws of war".

Professor Falk cites three clear violations, including: collective
punishment
- the entire 1.5 million people who live in the Gaza Strip are being
punished.
Dozens of civilians have been killed.

Secondly, he cites targeting civilians: The Israeli airstrikes are
aimed at the civilian areas of one of the most crowded areas on the
planet. Finally he cites, "disproportionate military response": The
air assault has not only destroyed Gaza's police and security offices,
but has killed and injured hundreds of civilians.

He concludes by stating while the Hamas rocket attacks are unlawful
they do not give Israel the right either as an Occupying Power or a
sovereign state to violate international humanitarian law and commit
war crimes or crimes against humanity in its response.

CUPE demands that the Canadian government, as a member nation of the
UN, condemn the serious violations of humanitarian and international
law by the State of Israel as outlined above, and to lend Canada's
voice to those nations seeking an immediate ceasefire and a renewed
commitment to the pursuit of peace in the Middle East.

Yours truly,

PAUL MOIST
National President
Canadian Union of Public Employees

cc: Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Leader
     Jack Layton, NDP Leader
    Gilles Duceppe, Bloc Québécois Leader
    National Executive Board
    Ken Georgetti, CLC