NDP MP Heather McPherson called for emergency debate on new Amnesty International report on genocide in Gaza

OTTAWA — On Thursday, NDP MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) requested an emergency debate so MPs can consider Canada's obligations in light of a significant report from Amnesty International concluding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Earlier today, Amnesty International released a 300-page report concluding that Israel committed prohibited acts under the Genocide Convention, with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, a group protected under the Genocide Convention.

“As a state party to the Genocide Convention, this government has a legal obligation to use all reasonable means to help prevent genocide,” said McPherson. “This report requires Canada to act immediately to ensure Canada is no longer contributing to a genocide. Not only does Canada have a responsibility to prevent and end genocide, Canada may also be found complicit by international courts if the government does not act today.”

New Democrats have repeatedly called on the Government of Canada to end all arms transfers to Israel, including those transferred through the United States, and to implement sanctions against Israeli and Hamas officials implicated in egregious violations of international law. New Democrats also continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and for Canada to support international justice and peace efforts, for all Palestinians and Israelis.

“The International Court of Justice warned of plausible genocide in Gaza,” said McPherson. “This conclusion, by the most respected human rights organization in the world, is the most serious and conclusive finding of genocide that we have seen so far.”

Amnesty International will soon issue another research report on the horrific crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023.