READOUT: Prime Minister Speaks on Situation in Middle East

Prime Minister’s remarks in the House of Commons on the ongoing situation in the Middle East // Allocution du Premier ministre dans la Chambre des communes sur la situation actuelle au Moyen-Orient

Mr. Speaker,

Today, I rise to speak about the conflict in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Over a week ago, Canadians woke up to horrifying images coming out of Israel after the terrorist organization Hamas launched an attack of unspeakable brutality.

J’aimerais faire le point sur les mesures que prend notre gouvernement pour aider et protéger les Canadiens touchés, et j’aimerais ensuite vous parler des véritables inquiétudes que cette situation cause dans la population ici, au pays.

Pour les Canadiens de confession juive et musulmane, pour les Canadiens d’origine arabe et pour tous les Canadiens.

Monsieur le Président,

Parmi les milliers de personnes bouleversées par cette violence, cinq Canadiens ont été assassinés par les terroristes du Hamas. Trois Canadiens sont portés disparus et pourraient être tenus en otage. Je sais que les pensées de tous les parlementaires et de tous les Canadiens sont avec eux et leurs proches.

Le Canada demande au Hamas de libérer tous les otages immédiatement.

10 Canadian Armed Forces flights have departed Tel Aviv so far, with approximately 1300 passengers on board. In addition, the first bus has departed the West Bank and brought Canadians to safety in Jordan.

Le ministère des Affaires mondiales et nos ambassades dans la région travaillent sans relâche afin d’entrer en contact avec les Canadiens touchés et de leur venir en aide. Et on collabore de près avec nos alliés et nos partenaires pour aider les gens à quitter Gaza, la Cisjordanie et Israël de la façon la plus sécuritaire et rapide possible.

We are also deeply concerned by the dire, and worsening, humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Canada is calling for unimpeded humanitarian access and a humanitarian corridor, so that essential aid like food, fuel and water, can be delivered to civilians in Gaza.

It is imperative that this happen.

Depuis la fin de semaine dernière, je me suis entretenu avec des dirigeants de toute la région, comme le premier ministre d’Israël, Benjamin Netanyahu; le président de l’Autorité palestinienne, Mahmoud Abbas; le roi Abdallah de Jordanie; le président des Émirates arabes unis et, aujourd’hui, le président el-Sisi d’Égypte, et l’émir du Qatar. J'ai discuté avec eux de la libération des otages canadiens et de tous les otages, de la fourniture d'une assistance humanitaire, de l'aide à apporter aux Canadiens pour qu'ils soient en sécurité, ainsi que de la paix et de la stabilité dans la région.

La ministre des Affaires étrangères était sur le terrain en fin de semaine. Elle dirige nos efforts diplomatiques – en travaillant jour et nuit – et elle rencontre des Israéliens, des Palestiniens et d’autres partenaires de la région.

The Minister of National Defence is working tirelessly to ensure that CAF evacuation flights are getting as many Canadians out of the region as possible.

And the Minister of International Development is leading conversations with his international counterparts and with aid organizations, making sure essential support is getting to affected people.

Canada has committed an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance to provide essentials like food, water, emergency medical aid, and protection assistance to those affected by the crisis in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel.

And I want to be clear, none of this aid is going to Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization that slaughtered and brutalized innocent people. Hamas continues to commit unspeakable atrocities and are trying to instigate further acts of violence against Jewish people.

Let me be clear about Hamas:

They are not freedom fighters. They are not a resistance. They are terrorists.

Terrorism is always indefensible, and nothing can justify Hamas’ acts of terror and the killing, maiming, and abduction of civilians.

But let me also be extremely clear that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people nor their legitimate aspirations.

They do not speak for Muslim or Arab communities. And they do not represent the better futures that Palestinians and their children deserve. The only thing that they stand for is more suffering for Israeli and Palestinian civilians.

Canada fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law. And in Gaza, as elsewhere, international law, including humanitarian law, must be upheld by all.

Even wars have rules. Canada is, as always, steadfast in our commitment to the rule of law. The rule of law is what we stand up for here in Parliament, what we advocate through diplomacy. And what we’ll always fight for no matter the circumstances.

Ici, au pays, les émotions sont extrêmement vives.

Ça s’explique en partie par le fait que beaucoup de ces histoires sont aussi des histoires canadiennes. En raison de notre diversité, beaucoup d’entre nous connaissons quelqu’un qui a été touchée. Ou on connait quelqu’un qui connait quelqu’un.

J’ai rencontré des membres de la communauté juive en deuil suite à cette tragédie. On m’a parlé des jeunes qui ont été abattus durant un festival de musique. Du meurtre et de l’enlèvement de personnes âgées, de femmes, d’enfants. Les membres de la communauté juive m’ont parlé d’amis morts trop jeunes, et de leur peur d’avoir des proches peut-être pris en otage.

I met with leaders from the Muslim and Palestinian community. They told me about how families in Gaza are spreading themselves between homes, to prevent the possibility that they could all be lost in a single moment. That, from Canada, they worry desperately about their loved ones, but because electricity has been cut off they have to rely on sporadic, 15-second phone calls to know who is safe.

Their worries aren’t just for people overseas, they worry about people here at home, too.

Across our country, both Jewish parents and Muslim parents are wondering whether their kids are safe at school. Families who are worried about going to places of worship. Jewish people wondering if they shouldn’t wear their Star of David or kippah in public. Muslim and Arab people are worried about being thought of as terrorists, once again. The list of worries is endless. And the fear is real.

There are rising instances of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. We saw the reports of hate crimes against a Muslim woman in Montreal and at a Hebrew school in Toronto. And all of our hearts break at the horrifying news that came out of Illinois yesterday.

There are so many people in Canada who are afraid of the escalating tension here at home. Who are scared as they watch horrible things happen to people and places that they love in the Middle East. Who, for years, have lived somewhere between fear and hope– fear that escalation will tear them further apart and hope that one day peace could finally take root.

Il ne faut jamais oublier que la diversité fait notre force. Le Canada accueille des gens de tous les horizons qui revendiquent une multitude d’identités. Nous sommes un pays de voisins, de collègues, d’amis et de familles qui incarnent cette diversité et qui la vivent chaque jour. Maintenant, plus que jamais, on doit se rassembler, et éviter de laisser les inquiétudes, les soupçons et la méfiance nous séparer.

Remember, it’s a short path to walk from mistrusting your neighbour to entrenching division.

A peaceful society does not happen by accident, and won’t continue without effort. We live in a country that upholds freedom of expression, including religious and cultural expression. And every Canadian should feel safe doing so. This is the right and freedom every Canadian has under our Charter.Canadian liberty is not about taking away the freedoms of others, but living in a way that expands and strengthens freedom for everyone.

Monsieur le Président,

Comme Canadiens, nous avons prouvé qu’il est possible de bâtir et de définir un pays en se fondant sur des valeurs communes. Le Canada ne se définit pas par une seule identité historique, culturelle, religieuse, ethnique ou autre, mais par nos valeurs partagées.

We are, once again, at a moment where our shared values are being put to the test. Unrest is being felt in ways big and small. Canadians are deeply worried, no matter their background. That is why we must hold on to our commitment to the idea of this place.

We have been tested before, about what we are and who we are. But the core values of Canada have always been there to guide us. To make us stronger. To bring us together when forces or events try to divide us.

Our diversity is our strength. We can never forget this. This is a time to reach out and support each other. Ask a friend, family member, or colleague how they’re doing. Reach out to members of a different faith. Offer to listen. Offer to help where you can.

People are not alright, so let’s make sure they’re not alone.

As I have said before, the Canadian idea of liberty is inclusive freedom, expansive freedom.

Let’s remember who we are as Canadians, and what we stand for here, and around the world:

Respect for everyone’s rights and freedoms, and the rule of law.

Respect for different languages, ethnicities, and religions.

Respect for human life.

Respect for each other.

Thank you.