Lift the siege! Stop the annexation! End the genocide in Gaza now!

The Communist Party of Canada condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli military’s expanded offensive in Gaza, which aims to fully annex and ethnically cleanse the territory. The Israeli government, clearly coordinating with U.S. imperialism, is openly pursuing a plan to seize control of all of Gaza while subjecting its 2 million residents, half of whom are children, to displacement, starvation, and death. Israel has let no food aid into Gaza for two months. This campaign of conquest is a genocide and these plans are coming after more than a year and a half of relentless bombing and war crimes. That this new phase of ethnic cleansing is being announced on the anniversary of the Nakba, when over 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their land in 1948, makes the intent of Israel’s actions unmistakably clear.

We reiterate the calls heard around the world demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza and all occupied territories, and the lifting of the siege that has created conditions of mass famine. The whole world, including Canada, must act decisively to prevent the total destruction of Gaza and its people. This includes enforcing the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the Genocide Convention. As Israeli violence escalates exponentially in the West Bank and the expansion of illegal settlements threatens the full annexation of all Palestinian lands, the crimes being committed in full view of the world demand global resistance and urgent solidarity.

We condemn the Canadian government’s shameful complicity in this genocide. From providing political cover to continuing arms exports, and remaining silent as hospitals are bombed and families starve, Ottawa has made itself an enabler of war crimes. The silence of the Canadian media establishment, many of whom have demonized protestors while minimizing or ignoring Israel’s atrocities, has deepened confusion and enabled further escalation. The Communist Party of Canada reaffirms its full support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, return, and liberation.

The Communist Party of Canada demands:

• An immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops
• The lifting of the Israeli siege imposed on Gaza since 2006
• The dismantling of settlements in the West Bank within 12 months, as prescribed by the UN
• The creation of a viable Palestinian state within the pre-June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital
• The right of return for Palestinian refugees from 1948
• An end to the apartheid regime in Israel, and its democratization, secularization, denuclearization, and demilitarization
• The release of all Palestinian political prisoners and an end to arbitrary detentions
• That Canada implement an immediate two-way arms embargo and support Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) on Israel

Central Executive Committee, Communist Party of Canada