Tensions emerge in the Liberal caucus over Canada's UN vote for a Gaza ceasefire
John Paul Tasker | CBC News | Posted: December 13, 2023 5:55 PM | Last Updated: December 13, 2023
'I do not support an unconditional call for a ceasefire,' Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says
The federal government's decision to back a United Nations 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 with the wording of the UN resolution, which demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire but does not explicitly call on Hamas to lay down its arms.
The resolution stipulates that "all parties" should "comply with their obligations under international law."
But Hamas — a militant group that has been labelled a terrorist organization by a number of Western countries, including Canada — doesn't adhere to international law. Some supporters of Israel have said the language of the resolution imposes an unfair burden on the country.
In fact, the resolution doesn't even mention the word "Hamas." It also doesn't rule out allowing Hamas to participate in future governments in the Gaza Strip.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly defended the vote, saying there must be an end to "the cycle of violence" that has killed many innocents and left an untold number of Palestinians without water, food, fuel, medicine or shelter.
Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the UN, said Canada is "alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians" in Gaza as Israel pushes further into the south of that territory in its efforts to destroy Hamas.
"The ongoing humanitarian crisis has weighed heavily in Canada's decision to support this resolution," Rae said.
WATCH | UN votes to demand Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Canada votes in favour:
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, a Jewish MP who has emerged as a prominent voice for his community in caucus, said he's "very disappointed" in Canada's UN vote.
He said it's "unacceptable" for Canada to throw its weight behind a ceasefire motion that doesn't clearly stipulate that Hamas must drop its weapons and stop fighting Israel.
Housefather said Hamas can't be trusted — it broke the existing ceasefire when it launched its brutal attack on Israel on October 7 — and he accused the militant group of violating the humanitarian pause that was put in place last month to get aid in and foreign nationals and hostages out.
"The motion was an unconditional call for a ceasefire. I do not support an unconditional call for a ceasefire. I do not believe a majority of my constituents support an unconditional call for a ceasefire. It's my obligation to speak out when I think Canada has abandoned its traditional position at the UN in support of Israel at a time when Israel is at war," Housefather said.
He said Israel has been "singled out far too often at international organizations."
An "undemocratic mix of countries" at the UN have frequently "targeted and stigmatized" Israel and Canada should have held firm to its usual practice of voting against these sorts of resolutions, Housefather said. Canada was offside with Israel and the United States, he added.
Housefather avoided questions about whether he can stay in the Liberal caucus, saying now is not the time to discuss his future in the party he's called home since he was a teenager.
WATCH | The status quo ... is unsustainable,' says Canada's UN ambassador:
In addition to backing the UN resolution, Canada also released a joint statement with Australia and New Zealand that clearly laid out the government's position.
The three countries said they unequivocally condemn Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel and the "unacceptable treatment of hostages" they captured on that terrible day.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand said there should be a ceasefire in Gaza but added a number of stipulations that weren't captured in the UN resolution.
"This cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields and lay down its arms," the countries said.
"There is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. We emphasize that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism," the countries said.
WATCH | Canada 'abandoned' traditional support of Israel at UN, Liberal MP says:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated that message to reporters Wednesday ahead of question period.
He said Canada will participate in "urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire."
But he stressed that a ceasefire "cannot be one-sided."
"We need Hamas to lay down its arms. We need to see it release all hostages," Trudeau said.
After the U.S. and the United Kingdom announced on Wednesday they have imposed an additional round of sanctions on people in Turkey and elsewhere who are linked to Hamas, Trudeau said Canada is prepared to use its own tools to "put pressure on Hamas to cease its violence." He didn't offer any specifics.
Liberal MP Ben Carr, a Jewish caucus member from Winnipeg, said the Canada, Australia and New Zealand joint statement was "fair" because it included more demands on Hamas.
"The UN resolution fell short," Carr said. "It did not condemn Hamas to the extent I think is necessary and legitimate."
Liberal MP Salma Zahid, a Muslim who represents a Toronto-area riding, said she's "grateful" Canada voted in favour of a ceasefire.
Zahid's Scarborough Centre constituency includes a large Muslim population and she was among the first to sign a letter from MPs calling on the government to support a ceasefire.
"I hope that Canada will rally international support to protect innocent civilians being killed in Palestine, in Gaza," she said.
She said Canada's vote was necessary because the civilian death toll has grown to an unacceptable level.
WATCH | Liberal MP supports UN vote calling for a humanitarian ceasefire:
The Hamas-run health authority suggests about 18,000 people have been killed in Gaza so far, many of them civilians.
"As a mother, it has been very difficult for me in the last two months to see all those pictures coming out," she said of the images of Palestinian women distressed over the deaths of their children.
"This is about protecting innocent civilians. This is about protecting children. For a parent, the worst thing is to bury your own kids and we have seen many parents doing that. I cannot sleep at night," she said.
WATCH | Canada's UN vote 'unfortunate' but Trudeau's remarks 'favourable,' says adviser to Israel's PM:
Government House leader Karina Gould said there's a diversity of viewpoints in the Liberal caucus because it's "the only caucus that truly represents every aspect of Canadian society."
"We have these tough conversations. We're truly listening to everyone. Unlike other parties that are one-sided, we try to bring people together to ensure everyone has a voice," she said.
She acknowledged there may be political ramifications to Tuesday's vote.
"When you take a principled position, it may not satisfy anyone because there are very strong emotions on both sides of this conflict, and understandably," Gould said.