Media Centre

Press Releases: November 6, 2006

Alghabra presses MacKay to take leadership role in Gaza

Ottawa - Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale, recently wrote to the Hon. Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Mr. Alghabra urged Minister MacKay to call for an end to the recent escalation of violence in Gaza. The letter also mentioned the need for Canada to take a principled stand for peace and justice in other areas of turmoil like Darfur, Sri Lanka and Iraq. 

November 6th, 2006
 
The Hon. Peter MacKay, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lester B. Pearson Building, Tower "A", 10th Floor
125 Sussex Drive
 Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
 
Dear Minister,
 
The situation in Gaza has been drastically deteriorating over the last few days and Canada's international leadership is urgently needed.
 
Since June of this year, some 320 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. The death toll for last week alone was 47 and more than 200 have been injured. This dramatic escalation of violence is disturbing and is jeopardizing the overall delicate prospects of peace in the Middle East.
 
Palestinians in Gaza are living under severe conditions: 70% of Gazans are unable to cover their daily food needs, most of Gazans have electric power for only a few hours per day and Gaza has only a 30% employment rate. The escalation of Israeli offences will only exacerbate those severe conditions and will be unhelpful to the creation of optimistic conditions that could advance the prospect of peaceful negotiation.
 
Minister, I know you support the promotion of peace and co-existence in the Middle East. I also know that you agree with me that Canada's foreign policy needs to be ambitious and principled. I urge you to be the voice of reason and call on the Israeli government to cease its military operation and resort to diplomatic means in resolving the conflict.
 
There are other troubled spots around the globe that could benefit greatly from Canada's voice. Darfur, Sri Lanka and Iraq are other examples where Canada can demonstrate its leadership and call for an end to violence. Canada's moral authority is at risk if we claim certain values but show little action when our voice is desperately needed. I call on you to take a principled stand for peace and justice.
 
Sincerely,
 
Omar Alghabra, M.P.
Mississauga-Erindale