Gaza

Canadians, please email the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the leader of the Liberal Party and the leader of the NDP and tell them to stand up and say to Israel "ENOUGH!". Tell them in no uncertain terms that you will no longer vote for any politician or party that stands by while this atrocity takes place.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper: harper.s@parl.gc.ca
Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Bernier: bernim@parl.gc.ca
Leader of the Opposition Stephane Dion: dion.s@parl.gc.ca
Leader of the New Democractic Party Jack Layton: layton.j@parl.gc.ca

Reply from Jack Layton recieved today:

Thank you for your previous email informing me of your concerns surrounding the on-going conflict in Gaza.
Notwithstanding every nation’s right to self-defence, we feel that the Israeli government's response is disproportionate, and the use of rockets against Israeli civilians must be rejected. New Democrats condemn the massive loss of civilian life that is resulting from this escalation.
Israelis and Palestinians want a negotiated resolution. New Democrats are encouraged by the results of a public opinion research published in the Israeli daily newspaper Ha’aretz indicating that a significant majority of Israelis want their government to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas.
The NDP is urging the Canadian government to work with the world community to call for an immediate ceasefire. We urge the Palestinian leadership to resolve their differences to enhance the prospect of a peaceful resolution. We also urge the government of Israel to cease its blockade of Gaza since, during the present state of escalated violence, the blockade is pushing the civilian health system of Gaza to the brink of collapse, and is running the risk of contravening the prohibition against “collective punishment”.
Again, I appreciate hearing from you on this troubling situation. All the best.

Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada’s New Democrats

My comments in reply to Jack Layton:
What will it take for the New Democratic Party to actually condemn this one sided attack in which over 100 Palestinians have been killed, a third of them children? Apparently 100 Palestinian lives are equal to the lives of 1 or 2 Israelis. Disproportion is an understatement Mr.Layton. This is murder on a mass scale.
What would the reaction be if the opposite were true? We would hear worldwide condemnation of the "terror attacks" upon the Israelis, not politicizing and wishy-washy fence sitting. Why then, when Israel launches what is basically a terror attack upon a civilian population, will you, and the NDP Party not stand up and say it is wrong, without attempting to make it seem as though the violence is even handed on both sides? As though Hamas has attacked Tel Aviv with jets and attack helicopters, or Palestinians are rumbling through Netanya in armoured tanks?