October 7, 2003

Re: Israeli Attack on Syria Should be Condemned

Ottawa—Israel's October 5 attack on an alleged militant training camp within Syria is a dangerous expansion of international outlawry and warrants the strongest condemnation from Canada. This contempt for international law has once again underlined the bankruptcy of Israel's policies towards its occupied Palestinian population and its Arab neighbors.

NCCAR is concerned with the feebleness of Minister Graham's response to Israel's attack on Syria's sovereignty. The Minister's response that it is Israel's right to self-defense undermines the traditional Canadian position in the region and our support for international law.

NCCAR welcomes Syria's sober response to this aggression by taking its case to the United Nations. We call upon Canada to clearly condemn the bombing and to support the call for the immediate UN Security Council investigation. The international community must not bow in the face of Israel's “might makes right” behaviour. Rather, we must remind Israel it is not above the law and will be held accountable for its actions.

NCCAR President Hussein Amery stated: “Israel is once again proving that it is above the law. Canadians do not stand for governments that defy the international community and our government should make it clear that it does not accept Israel's outlaw behaviour.”

NCCAR urges Canada to act for the sake of peace and security in the Middle East. NCCAR believes the path to peace begins with ending Israel's illegal occupation of all Arab lands as well as ensuring Israel respects its neighbors' sovereignty.

For more information on this visit, please contact Mohammed Zigby, Communications Coordinator at NCCAR: (613) 238-3795 or mohammed@nccar.ca.

For further information please contact NCCAR.