Communication directed at the Israeli populace
Montrealer Irwin Cotler Joins Global Call for End to Gaza Blockade
Irwin Cotler, a prominent Montreal figure and former Canadian Minister of Justice, has joined over 5000 Jews worldwide in signing a letter from The London Initiative, urging the Israeli government to stop blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The letter, also signed by 13 other Montrealers including UQAM professor Yolande Cohen and businessman Charles Bronfman, addresses a statement by the Israeli Minister of Heritage boasting about erasing Gaza from the map. The signatories denounce this statement as a moral abomination and a desecration of Jewish values.
The letter calls for guarantees that Israel will not recolonize Gaza nor pursue or defend any policy of expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. It expresses concern about the Israeli government's actions causing lasting damage to Israel's reputation in the world and the prospect of secure peace for all Israelis and Palestinians.
Cotler, a fierce opponent of anti-Semitism, denounces the blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza by the Benjamin Netanyahu government. The letter states that blocking aid when fighting resumed in March was a moral and strategic disaster. It urges the end of the war, the release of hostages, and prioritizing hostage release over appeasing extremists in the coalition.
The letter also criticizes the Israeli government for using policies of famine or expulsion as weapons of war. It recalls that Israel is surrounded by entities actively working towards its destruction, such as the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas, with Iran as a common denominator.
The signatories acknowledge the painful dilemmas faced by every Israeli government due to threats from entities working towards Israel's destruction. However, they emphasize Israel's full responsibility for the blockade that causes starvation in Gaza and reject the notion that Hamas' alleged propaganda victory should justify the humanitarian crisis.
The letter urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to maintain order in the West Bank and enforce law to prevent violence by Jewish extremists. It calls for a humanitarian-focused resolution that ends the blockade and hostilities while protecting Palestinian civilians.
This stance aligns with recognizing the severe humanitarian impact on Gaza’s population, including the mass casualties and destruction of medical and humanitarian facilities. There is also broader acknowledgment of international legal concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinians and the blockade.
However, some critics portray Cotler as a strong defender of Israel's policies overall, which complicates his public image in this context. Nonetheless, regarding the letter from The London Initiative specifically, Cotler and other signatories advocate for a humanitarian-focused resolution that ends the blockade and hostilities while protecting Palestinian civilians.
[1] The London Initiative letter [2] Recognition of severe humanitarian impact on Gaza’s population [3] Critics' portrayal of Cotler as a strong defender of Israel's policies [4] International legal concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinians and the blockade
- The London Initiative letter, penned by Irwin Cotler and over 5000 Jews worldwide, denounces the blocking of humanitarian aid during war-and-conflicts in Gaza and insists on a political solution that prioritizes humanitarian needs and protects Palestinian civilians.
- As the war in Gaza continues, international news headlines are filled not only with reports of hostilities but also with concerns over political incidents such as the London Initiative's call for an end to the territorial blockade and allegations of human rights violations against Palestinians.
