Ending the Crisis in Gaza - Building Peace in the Middle East

ENDING THE CRISIS IN GAZA - BUILDING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, recognizing that the present violence in the region arises from a deep-rooted history of violence begetting violence, are strongly convinced that a peace process is the only solution and that polarizing the conflict gains nothing.

At the same time, the extreme humanitarian crisis which exists and is growing in Gaza demands immediate action now. We expect our government to play an immediate and effective role towards building a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Therefore, we call upon the Canadian Government, Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Officials to:

1. Call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas urging all involved parties in the region to come to the peace table without delay.

2. Support ongoing demands for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and to use its diplomatic influence calling on all parties to respect humanitarian law, human rights and the Geneva Conventions.

3. Encourage the new Obama administration to use its influence to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East, and to assist in any diplomatic way possible to further nonviolence, peacebuilding and humanitarian approaches in the region.

4. Ensure that women, who promote peace from all parties involved in the Gaza crisis, are at the decision-making table in accordance with Article 1 of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000) which Urges member states to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict.

5. Urge the international community, and especially the United Nations Security Council, to continue to work toward a ceasefire, and to ensure that combatants on both sides of the conflict respect international humanitarian law, human rights and the Geneva Conventions.