Media Centre Press Releases: July 12, 2006   July 12, 2006 For Immediate Release:   MISSISSAUGA – Last week, Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale, wrote a letter to the Honourable Peter Mackay, Minister of Foreign Affairs outlining his concerns regarding the recent events in Gaza. Please find the letter below. July 4th, 2006 The Hon. Peter MacKay, P.C., Minister of Foreign Affairs Lester B. Pearson Building, Tower "A", 10th Floor 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2 Dear Minister MacKay, I am writing to express my extreme concern with the current crisis in Gaza. The Israeli military has been launching brutal attacks on Gaza, including civilian infrastructure installations like bridges and power plants. The situation is escalating and one can not help but be deeply concerned. Canada has moral authority and is traditionally known to be a voice for peace and justice. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has repeatedly told Canadians that he wants to see Canada take a leadership role in the international community. I am urging the government to express that leadership by calling on Israel to apply restraint and refrain from conducting what appears to be a collective punishment exercise against Palestinians. Canada needs to demonstrate its commitment to peace in the region by calling for calm and an end to all aggressive military operations. I look forward to seeing Canada retain its balanced and objective approach to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East by pushing for peaceful and fair negotiations. Sincerely, Omar Alghabra, M.P. Mississauga-Erindale