(Ottawa) The Palestinian ambassador to Canada says she warned Ottawa six months ago that rising tensions in the region would lead to violence.
Published yesterday at 11:39 p.m.
Dylan Robertson The Canadian Press
“It’s not about justifying yourself or not, [mais] If you blow a balloon, it will eventually burst,” said Mona Abuamara, chief representative of the Palestinian general delegation to Canada, in an interview with The Canadian Press.
She revealed she delivered that message to Global Affairs Canada officials about six months ago, describing the conversation as focused on “what could happen.”
They knew, everyone knew, that an explosion was imminent.
the Palestinian ambassador to Canada, Mona Abuamara
Ms Abuamara added that Israel’s “far-right government” had made peace initiatives difficult. According to them, the Palestinians want Canada to comment on cases in which Israel has violated international law, citing the siege of the Gaza Strip or the expansion of certain settlements.
“Just apply the international law that you hold so dear – that is our only request,” Ms Abuamara urged between meetings with MPs on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
She said she was deeply disturbed by the recent bloodshed in the region, where more than 4,000 people have died on both sides of an escalating Middle East conflict.
This episode began when Hamas killed hundreds of Israelis in surprise attacks on October 7th. Israel responded by firing rockets into the Gaza Strip and cutting off water, food and electricity supplies to the Palestinian territory.
Abuamara said Canada should support a ceasefire and urge Israel to work toward Ottawa’s long-standing policy of a “two-state solution” in the region.
She also wants Canada to commit to establishing a humanitarian corridor to help people trying to flee Gaza.
Israel insists it is trying to eliminate Hamas leaders in Gaza to prevent terror attacks. Israeli leaders say they are not targeting civilians.
But the United Nations has said the current siege on Gaza violates international law.