NCCAR Welcomes Endorsement of the UN Gaza Report (Goldstone report) by the UN Human Rights Council

NCCAR Welcomes Endorsement of the UN Gaza Report by the UN Human Rights Council

The report recommends that there be credible, independent investigations into serious international human rights and humanitarian law violations during the recent Gaza conflict, which amounted to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity. Should this recommendation not be heeded, the issue should be referred to the International Criminal Court. Both the US and the EU have asked Israel to conduct inquiries into the allegations contained in the report. The EU has also asked that Israel stop buildings settlements in the West Bank and improve humanitarian access to Gaza.

Canada’s behaviour on the international scene will be put to scrutiny as we lobby for a seat at the UN Security Council. All High Contracting parties to the Geneva Conventions, including Canada, have the legal obligation to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law. Currently, the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster. The Mission found that the blockade of Gaza amounted to collective punishment, and was likely a war crime and a crime against humanity.

“Canada has not commented on the Human Rights Council endorsing the Goldstone report and its recommendations yet. I hope that the Canadian government will at least urge Israel to establish a commission of inquiry into the allegations of war crimes, as it did after the Sabra and Shatilla massacre in Lebanon,” said Rula Odeh, NCCAR’s president.

NCCAR calls on the Canadian government to urge Israel to set up a credible inquiry into the allegations of war crimes during Operation Cast Lead, to freeze the building of Israeli settlements, which are illegal according to Canadian policy, and lift the illegal and cruel blockade imposed on 1.5 million of civilians in Gaza.