The leader of Canada’s Bloc Quebecois Yves Francois Blanchet called for an urgent and immediate ceasefire as well as the creation of an international force for the maintenance of peace in Gaza.
Blanchet had previously and on several instances supported Israel and its right to self-defense in light of Hamas’ attacks on its territory, as long as it was in accordance with the respect of international law.
However, without retracting his condemnation of Hamas and its attacks on Israel, Blanchet in an apparent change of tone called the Israeli government the “Netanyahu Regime” and rebuked it for acting indifferently over the loss of Palestinian lives.
“US Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken repeatedly requested Mr. Netanyahu to exercise restraint and good judgement. This was only met with refusals. Today we even observe, contrary to what was said by everyone that it wouldn’t happen, that Mr. Netanyahu has permanent occupation fantasies over the territory of Gaza. Therefore, the Bloc Quebecois aligns itself, at the request of many, behind a ceasefire, pure and simple and urgent,” Blanchet stated during a press conference from Ottawa.
The ceasefire must involve all parties and should be accompanied by a call to calm in the West Bank, Blanchet stressed, where the most “inelegant” elements of those supporting the colonization by Israel, are happily targeting Palestinian families.
However, Blanchet said there was a high probability for a ceasefire failure, broken by either parties unless an international peace force was deployed in the Gaza Strip. The faction leader invited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly to think about the proposal.
“On the ground, it will be the best way to ensure the protection of civilians in Gaza, the neutralization of Hamas, of protecting both Israeli civilians and favoring the liberation of hostages,” Blanchet continued.
When questioned on his change of stance, Blanchet stated he had initially thought the international community would be able to reason with Israel and ensure it acted with restraint. “I might’ve had a naive hope," he added.
