Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says international efforts toward a “sustainable ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas conflict cannot be one-sided for Israel.
Amid the fallout today from Canada having voted for a United Nations resolution this week that calls for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” Trudeau urged Hamas to take several measures.
“We need to see Hamas lay down its arms. We need to see the release of all hostages. We need to see them stop using civilians as human shields,” Trudeau told journalists as he arrived for Question Period on Parliament Hill.
“And there cannot be any future role for Hamas in the governance of Gaza.”
Liberal MPs Marco Mendicino and Anthony Housefather both posted statements on social media disagreeing with their government’s position on the UN resolution, with Mendicino saying it was effectively an unconditional ceasefire that would place the safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza in further jeopardy.
As he arrived for today’s Liberal caucus meeting, Housefather was asked, given his views, how he could remain a Liberal.
He told journalists that his convictions have been with the party since he was a teenager, but the UN motion was an unconditional call for a ceasefire that neither he nor his Montreal riding constituents support.
“It’s my obligation as an individually elected MP to speak out when I think Canada has abandoned the traditional position of the UN of support of Israel.”
Trudeau did not directly address dissension in his caucus in his remarks. He also said Canada will continue to work toward a two-state solution where Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and security, with internationally recognized borders.
“We will continue to use all the tools that we have and look at the tools that others are using as well to continue to put pressure on Hamas to cease its violence.”
Government House Leader Karina Gould said there has been inevitable debate among Liberals on issues raised by the Israel-Hamas war. “We try to ensure that everybody has a voice and that we are listening to each other,” she told journalists ahead of the caucus meeting. “Those are tough conversations.”
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