Subject: Double standards.
Canada Palestine Association,
P.O.Box, 1085
Halifax, NS,B3J 2X1
July 5,2006
The Hon. Mr. Peter MacKay, MP.
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Dear Mr. MacKay:
Your recent statement, on the Gaza crisis, is
astonishing and defies the reality on the ground.
In placing the balme, for the capture of the
Israeli soldier, on the Palestinians, you overlook the fact that the
Palestinians are the victims of an illegal oppressive occupation that has been
allowed to stand for 39 years, in defiance of international law and repeated
Security Council resolutions. You overlook the fact that Israel is holding over
9,000 Palestinians, without charge or trial, and hundreds of them are women and
children. There is no mention, in your statement, of the war crimes Israel is
committing in denying a 1.5 million people in Gaza of the basic elements of
life, including water, power, health care and food.
During the three weeks, prior to the capture of the
Israeli soldier, Israel had killed over 30 Palestinians in Gaza, including
entire families with very young children.
As to the exact facts, in relation to the captured
israeli soldier, please note:
On june 24, 2006, Israeli soldiers
marched into Gaza and captured 2 Palestinian civilians, accused of being Hamas
supporters. This passed unnoticed by our politicians and media.
A day later, on June 25, armed
Palestinians attacked an Israeli army post and captured an armed Israeli
soldier. This item of news captured the attention and concern amongst
our politicians and media.
Do we understand that Palestinians are less than
human and their life and rights are less than deserving concern, while an
Israeli soldier's freedom is far more valuable?
Are these the canadian standards and values
that we pride ourselves on?
Yours sincerely,
Ismail Zayid, MD.
President, Canada Palestine
Association.