A tale of two calls for peace

Sometimes, I read something in French that makes me realize just how far apart English and French Canada are from one another.

Quebec Solidaire is a far from perfect political party. The party’s slide to the centre has been a disaster, for example. But when I say “slide to the centre,” I don’t mean an NDP-level slide to the centre. And the two parties’ statements from October 7 illustrate how much of a gulf remains between their politics.

The NDP has been given a lot of credit for saying a whole lot of not much when it comes to Israel and it’s assault on Gaza. Because the political space in Canada is so overwhelmingly clustered around the Zionist consensus, (the unthinking “Israel has a right to defend itself”) just the act of saying genocide seems like a big deal. And maybe, it is a big deal. Until you come across another statement from a different left-wing party on the same anniversary date and are reminded just how far to the right the NDP is.

And so, compare for yourself: the two statements from the NDP and Quebec Solidaire from Oct. 7. I translated the statement from Quebec Solidaire and deleted the last paragraph where they call for Quebec to close its embassy in Tel Aviv just to shorten the text a little.

The notable difference in each text? Who the party decides to centre, given the carnage of the past year.

But before you read that, know that this motion was passed unanimously on October 7 in the House of Commons.

The NDP can say that it stands with Palestinians if they’d like, but they cannot agree to a motion that defends what Israel is doing to them under the guise of its “right to defend itself.”

Statement from the NDP on October 7 (signed by Jagmeet Singh)

“October 7th marks one year since the horrific Hamas terror attacks in Israel in which 1200 people were killed, including eight Canadians. Over 250 people, Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim, foreign nationals, and dual citizens were taken hostage by Hamas. This was the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. One year later, over one hundred hostages remain in Hamas captivity. This anniversary is a painful reminder of the suffering endured by countless families who have experienced the devastating impact of those attacks. New Democrats and all Canadians mourn with Canada’s Jewish community and we reiterate our call for the return of all hostages.

Over the past year, Jewish Canadians have faced an alarming and unacceptable rise in antisemitism. The Jewish community is currently observing the High Holidays, and we know that synagogues and community centres have unfortunately required enhanced security measures given the rise in antisemitism. Jewish families live with worry for their safety here in Canada, and fear for family and loved ones living in Israel who are caught in the crossfire of violence they did not choose.

There is no justification or rationale for the horrific terror attacks of October 7th, and the significance of this day - not just for the Jewish community, but for all those who uphold the sanctity of international law - cannot and should not be minimized. This day stands on its own as a devastating blow for so many.

For many Canadians, the response to October 7th from Netanyahu’s extremist government, was the beginning of a brutal assault on the people of Gaza, who did not and do not deserve collective punishment. Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab communities in Canada are feeling the weight of immense suffering from the ongoing genocide by Netanyahu’s extremist government that has killed tens of thousands of innocent people, including children. Just as there is no justification for the brutal terror attacks on October 7, there is likewise no justification for the high number of civilian casualties and indiscriminate attacks on the people of Gaza.

New Democrats also mourn with these Canadians who have experienced an alarming rise of anti-Palestinian hate and Islamophobia over the past year. And as we witness another war in Lebanon, their pain – and indeed, the pain of so many Canadians - has only increased.

New Democrats stand in solidarity with all Canadians who yearn for peace and justice for all people. As we mark this terrible anniversary and grieve the losses that have come before us and the losses that continue to mount, we reiterate the need to hold space for each other, to privilege dialogue and compassion over hate and violence.

We also remember that war is political, genocide is preventable, and Canada and the international community have a responsibility to act to end this horror.

There is no possible military solution to this decades-long conflict. We reiterate the actions Canada must take now: Work for a hostage deal and immediate ceasefire; sanction all those who violate international law, whether Hamas or Netanyahu’s extremist government; impose an arms embargo while the atrocities continue; recognize the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel and work to end the decades-long illegal occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem; and support international court efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice.

To the many Canadians feeling pain and trauma on this tragic anniversary: New Democrats stand with you. We will continue to work for our common humanity, for justice, and for peace.”

Statement from Quebec Solidaire (co-signed by Ruba Ghazal and Guillaume Cliche-Rivard)

It’s been one year since Gaza has been in flames (Email subject)

One year of attacks, of displacement and of war that has reached the entire region. One year of testimonies, reports and reminders that it’s been 76 years since this conflict has been happening. One year of growing calls to recognise that a genocide against Palestinians is happening.

October 7 is also a painful day in Israel. It’s imperative to condemn without equivocation the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas, which has caused unjustifuable suffering and pain which lasts to this day for the families of hostages captured that day. Acts of violence against civilians is unacceptable. Every victim is a tragedy.

We may have thought that the horror of the last year would have mobilised the International community, but rather, governments have been incapable of working for peace.

I’m a Quebecer from Palestine. I’m asked all the time if I still have family there. No, I have no family there. All the members of my family were expelled from their lands in 1948. My father was just 2 years old when we found himself a refugee in Lebanon, where I was born years later. The war that has gripped that region today, the genocide in Gaza, all the violence that has happened for 76 years, feels like a knife put through my stomach.

Gaza, with its population under siege, continue to live through incessant bombardments and a siege from Netanyahu’s government. Every day, Palestinians experience violence and destruction, all while hoping to live in peace and dignity. The stats are stunning: since Oct. 7, more than 41,000 Gazans and Palestinians in the West Bank have lost their lives. Without counting the famine and the 1.4 million people who have been displaced, this is a clear humanitarian catastrophe that will leave its marks for generations.

It’s essential to understand that this conflict is the result of the continued brutal politics of apartheid of the Israeli state against Palestinians. For decades, the politics of occupation, colonisation and segregation have systematically refused fundamental rights of Palestinians, taken their lands, their dignity and their right to self-determination. This historical reality must guide us to find the courage, which has been lacking up until now, for our leaders to put an end to this massacre.

Pierre Elliot Trudeau was on the wrong side of history when he refused to impose sanctions on South Africa during Apartheid. Justrin Trudeau cannot make the same errors and Quebec, as a pacifist nation, must forge the path.

Quebecers are part of a nation that valorises peace and dignity and we have to take that position. The response to violence cannot be anything other than peace, even when that’s difficult. We have to lend our voices to the Palestinian People to live in security and dignity, And in an independent state.