CANADA FAILS TO PASS MOTION TO RECOGNISE PALESTINE
March 19, 2024The Canadian Parliament, the House of Commons, yesterday passed a softened New Democrat motion 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 as part of a negotiated two-state solution.””
Other amendments include referring to Hamas as a “”terrorist organization,”” affirming that Israel has a right to defend itself and demanding that Hamas release all hostages and lay down its arms.
The only really positive outcome of the non-binding motion was calling for ceasing the further transfer of arms to Israel (instead of asking to suspend all sales of military equipment to Israel) and increasing efforts to stop the illegal trade of arms, including to Hamas.
WHAT A SHAME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN HISTORIC BUT CANADIAN MPS SUCCUMB TO PRESSURE INSTEAD OF STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE!
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English Script:
Omar: Members of Parliament voted late this evening on an NDP motion calling on the federal government to, quote, “Officially recognize the state of Palestine.” That version of the motion, though, was then amended, urging Canada to, quote, “Actively pursue the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two state solution aligning with Canada’s existing foreign policy.” CTV’s Annie Bergeron-Oliver joins us now from Ottawa, Annie.
Annie: Annie. Omar, no G-7 nation currently recognizes the Palestinian state. Instead, Canada and others support a two state solution that creates a Palestinian state as the outcome of peace talks with Israel. But the NDP wanted Canada to recognize it now, and that’s why they used their opposition motion to call for immediate action and policy changes regarding Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. The motion took up much of the day for Parliamentarians and shortly before a vote was supposed to happen, the Liberals introduced a number of amendments, including removing the recognition of the Palestinian state and replacing it with a commitment to work towards its creation through peace talks with Israel, Canada’s current foreign policy. The last minute move didn’t sit well with the opposition and even some Liberal MPs.
Andrew Scheer: That change is not, that is no mere grammatical or semantic change, Mr. Speaker. That is the crux of what is being debated today. A major point in the debate that has been carried all day today.
Anthony Housefather: This was tabled after the entire debate had concluded. How could you have such a substantive amendment that nobody has the chance to see or debate at all? It offends my privileges and the privileges of the people in that role.
Annie: The NDP says the amendment represents a positive step forward for Canada, saying that for the first time the government is now agreeing to cease the further authorization and transfer of arms exports to Israel.
Jagmeet Singh: This motion will now be the will of the House and the Government is going to vote in favor of ending arms sales to Israel. That is a massive change.
Annie: Late tonight, the amended motion passed overwhelmingly 204 to 117, with just three Liberals and the Conservatives voting against it. Now, tonight’s vote is non-binding, meaning there’s nothing forcing the government to make anything in this motion, official government policy. Omar.
Omar: All right, Annie thank you.
