Canada calls on Israel to 'reverse expansion' of its settlements

Photo: Justin Tang The Canadian Press “We call on Israel to respond substantively to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice,” reads the joint statement from Canada and two other countries.

Reacting for the first time to a UN court's recognition of the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Canada is urging Israel to respond and crack down on “violent acts committed by extremist settlers against Palestinians.”

It was through a joint statement with two other countries, Australia and New Zealand, that the Trudeau government announced on Friday that it accepts the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a week after its publication.

“We call on Israel to respond substantively to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, to account for the acts of violence committed by extremist settlers against Palestinians, to reverse the record expansion of settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law, and to work towards a two-state solution,” can be read at the heart of the long statement.

This is the second time that the Trudeau government has chosen to surround itself with Australia and New Zealand to share a common position on the Israeli-Palestinian question. In December, it was with these same countries that Canada clarified its request for a “lasting ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip, a call which was relaunched on Friday.

A week earlier, last Friday, the ICJ issued a non-binding legal opinion that calls Israel's continued presence in the Palestinian Territories since 1967 illegal, and calls for an end to its occupation “on as quickly as possible.” It was the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) which asked him to resolve this question. This international court has yet to render judgment in a separate case, in which South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Delayed reaction

Fannie Lafontaine, holder of the Canada Research Chair in International Criminal Justice and Human Rights at Université Laval, describes Canada’s response as “modest” and a little late. “It was about time,” she says down the line.

“It once again shows Canada’s hesitation to take a position” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she analyzes. According to her reading of last week’s advisory opinion, the ICJ is asking its member countries, like Canada, to go even further. For example, Ottawa should cut short trade relations that encourage Israel’s violations of international law.

“We accept the court’s decision, that’s something!” congratulates Louise Blais, who was Canada’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations from 2017 to 2021. She believes that presenting a joint statement with allied countries has the advantage of giving more weight to the position. For example, the statement was reported in the media in Israel.

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“I don’t think it’s going to convince Muslim countries that Canada is the greatest defender of the Palestinians on the planet,” adds the diplomat in residence at Université Laval, who points out that Canada was until recently one of Israel’s most loyal allies at the UN.

However, the country has changed its position in the last year. Its diplomats, for example, abstained from voting on a resolution at the UN which called for Palestine to be included as a member of the organization, instead of opposing it. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeats his support for a Palestinian state, as part of a “two-state” solution. He also presented himself as a Zionist.

Moderation

Louise Blais notes that Friday's statement merely calls on Israel to “respond substantively” to the opinion of the International Court of Justice, when it could have used clearer or categorical words. She considers it normal that Canada's change of direction should be gradual. “[In diplomacy], you never go from A to Z in one go. »

For its part, the Israeli government did not wait a week to reject the ICJ’s advisory opinion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately railed against the “false decision” of this Court, stating last Friday that “the Jews are not occupiers in their own land.” He visited Washington a few days later, during which he notably delivered a speech before the American Congress.

Israeli Ambassador to Ottawa Iddo Moed has already deplored Canada’s change in attitude towards his country. In a statement issued Friday, he argued that the only solution for Gaza is the abdication of Hamas and the release of the 115 hostages it is holding. “To call for a two-state solution at this time does not correspond to the reality on the ground, nor does it offer help to the Palestinians who are suffering under the violent rule of Hamas. »

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) also responded to the statement signed by Canada, writing in an email to Devoirthat Israel “has shown itself willing to make significant concessions on these issues to achieve peace [in past negotiations], but its offers have been rejected by Palestinian leaders.”

Canada began imposing sanctions this spring against a handful of Israeli settlers who are accused of undermining international security. The Trudeau government, however, has never formally committed to going so far as to handcuff Israel’s leaders if international justice so requires.

Benjamin Netanyahu himself is the subject of an application for an international arrest warrant in a separate case and before another tribunal, the International Criminal Court (ICC), for which a judgment is awaited. The ICC prosecutor accuses him of war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as deliberately starving civilians.

Israel's actions have been increasingly under the microscope of international justice since its military response in Gaza to a Hamas attack on its territory on October 7. The military operation caused the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and most countries in the world consider it disproportionate.