Freeland says Canada welcomes Gaza ceasefire proposal, reiterates calls around hostages, aid

Freeland says Canada welcomes Gaza ceasefire proposal, reiterates calls around hostages, aid

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says a Gaza ceasefire proposal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday is an “important step,” as parties wait for an official response from Hamas. Freeland was asked about the proposal, which envisions three stages of actions aimed at a permanent end to the Israel-Hamas conflict, at … Read more

NDP motion on Palestinian statehood passes after major amendments

NDP motion on Palestinian statehood passes after major amendments

The House of Commons passed a softened New Democrat motion on Monday night that no longer calls for the federal government to officially recognize Palestinian statehood after last-minute amendments brought in by the governing Liberals. Softening the motion’s original language, one of the 14 amendments called for the government to work toward “the establishment of the State of Palestine … Read more

Poilievre calls UNRWA ‘terrorist’ organization, after Canada pauses funding following allegations

Poilievre calls UNRWA ‘terrorist’ organization, after Canada pauses funding following allegations

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has accused UNRWA, the United Nations relief and works agency, of being a “terrorist” organization and promised to cut back its funding if he becomes prime minister. Israel last week alleged that some members of UNRWA’s staff took part in the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 Israelis. Palestinian … Read more

As U.S., U.K. and EU sanction violent Israeli settlers, Canada hangs back

As U.S., U.K. and EU sanction violent Israeli settlers, Canada hangs back

The Trudeau government still won’t say if it’s considering imposing sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the wake of travel bans announced by both the U.S. and the United Kingdom in recent days. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said last week that he will recommend EU sanctions as well.  Canada, like its American, British … Read more

Tensions emerge in the Liberal caucus over Canada’s UN vote for a Gaza ceasefire

Tensions emerge in the Liberal caucus over Canada’s UN vote for a Gaza ceasefire

The federal government’s decision to back a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict without certain conditions has prompted a mix of reactions from Liberal MPs. Some say they hope it will bring about peace. Others say it amounts to Canada abandoning Israel while it’s at war with extremists. Some Liberal MPs take issue … Read more