January 20, 2024
Leaders Foreign Affairs
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Melanie Joly
Pierre Poilievre, Leader of Opposition Michael Chong
Jagmeet Singh, Leader of NDP Heather McPherson
MP for Portage Lisgar Branden Leslie
Seasons Greetings
Please work hard for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (Gaza). Definitely the bombing must stop.
Israel must allow the residents of Gaza to return to the places of their former homes.
Current geo-poltical reality reveals a sad history of oppression by Israeli governments. Current maps show decades of Israeli oppression and taking land and freedom.
An internet search for ‘Israeli control zones in West Bank’ shows many sources of history and information: Al Jazeera, Washington Post, Wikipedia and more. Israel controls more than 50% of the West Bank – most of us think that is Palestinian territory; among others, Israel has annexed East Jerusalem; there was/is an incredible blockade on Gaza.
A good overview/summary (even just the maps tell the story) can be found at:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/18/mapping-israeli-occupation-gaza-palestine
The two state solution is probably no longer a realistic option, unless Israel retreats and returns land, dismantles the almost 250 settlements and outposts (all illegal by international law) in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and, concrete steps are taken to give autonomy and respect to the Palestinian communities.
Please be a good neighbour, please find solutions that build lasting peace and security for all in this troubled part of our world.
Create new ways. A long time ago, Canada was part of the creation of the UN peacekeeping forces. Find more new ways.
We wish you well.
Ray & Marilyn Hamm