During January 2008 two events having similar repercussions yet of starkly different nature occurred. This is a tale of two nations under siege; one by nature and one by man.
In the frigid Canadian north, Nunavut was sieged by a vicious blizzard that cut supplies to the general populous for over a week. During these tumultuous times the Canadian government and people worked vehemently to aid our fellow citizens. Fortunately the blizzard abated and we were able to bring timely relief to the battered north.
At almost the same time a siege of a different nature was unfolding half way across the globe. An Israeli siege was undertaken in Gaza that indiscriminately cut all supplies to an already malnourished nation. The Human Rights Council of the United Nations issued a statement (A/HRC/S-6/L.1) that calls for urgent international action to end grave Israeli violations in occupied Palestinian territory. There were 30 nations in favour, 15 abstentions and only one against this resolution. That one nation was Canada.
I implore my fellow Canadian citizens to remember that indiscriminate punishment is not the way that a democratic and free nation resolves conflict. 1.4 million People are punished for reasons that are unjustifiable under any international law. There is no fuel to run generators in the Gaza strip and as a result hospitals are rendered inoperable. Men, women and children on kidney dialysis machines will die because they simply do not have electricity to keep them operational. This is just one example of the many thousands that suffer and will ultimately die because of this oppression. Is killing by stealth any less of a crime than killing by bullet?
Just as we extend our hands to our fellow citizens in another part of our Country we should be able to do the same across the globe. We are all citizens of the world and as a result should strive for the betterment of humanity as a whole.
This petition is in favour of a peaceful solution to this conflict and against the vote that Canada placed towards this resolution. If you are believer in a just and democratic solution please sign below. This will be sent to the right honourable Stephen Harper, the prime minister of Canada.
We the undersigned are appalled against Canada's vote to support Israel's grave violations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Indiscriminate punishment is inhumane and should not be supported by a just and democratic nation.
I thank you, the right honourable Stephen Harper, for taking the time to address our concern.
