Quebec Solidarity MP Ruba Ghazal gave an emotional interview to Le Bilan in which she reinforced calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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The Quebec elected official said she is troubled by the war in the Middle East, but also by the hatred and violence expressed here.
“It’s not the Quebec I like, it’s not the Quebec I recognize,” Ms. Ghazal proclaims.
“[Il faut] Remember that we are a pacifist country, that we are lucky and that we do not want to import the violence that is happening elsewhere. Rather, we want to export our pacifist side,” she says.
For the Solidarity MP, the threats, insults and acts of vandalism committed here do not contribute to improving the situation in Gaza.
“I think it is extremely important that people help the Gaza Strip and the civilian population, whether on the Israeli or Palestinian side,” she emphasizes.
“I want us to ensure peace here and show solidarity with the suffering people. And instead of talking about violence and hateful acts […] Here in Quebec, let’s talk about what is happening there and how we can help this population to live peacefully and with dignity,” the elected official added.
The Palestinian-born politician also calls for peace and a ceasefire.
“It is a human rights issue. I’m not saying you have to choose one side or the other. “What we need are two states that, like all people in the world, live together peacefully,” explains Ruba Ghazal.
“We have no choice but to conclude a negotiated peace with the Palestinians. These people exist, they are there and they have suffered for an extremely long time,” she adds.
It is important for the member for Mercier to go back to basics to put an end to this conflict.
“It’s not about choosing a side, the Israeli side or the Palestinian side. It’s about choosing the side of people and the side of peace,” she summarizes.
To watch the full interview, watch the video above.