QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs
Israel-Hamas Conflict
April 9, 2024
Senator Gold, what is the government doing to assess if there have been violations of international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, including the possibility of war crimes?
The government remains very, very concerned with the circumstances unfolding in that area, in Gaza. It remains in regular contact with our democratic allies, which include Israel, Five Eyes and others. As the government has made clear, it also supports international processes to ensure that humanitarian law is respected by all parties to the conflict, and it will continue to do so.
Senator Gold, the conflict is ongoing, and there are many credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian law. I would expect that the government would be doing its own analysis. Will the government make that analysis available to Canadians, and will it also consider employing its full gamut of autonomous sanctions against violations?
There are indeed allegations. I’m not in a position, nor is the government at this juncture, to assess the credibility of those allegations. Again, the government is continuing to monitor the situation carefully and will take all appropriate measures for this government in the context of this very tragic unfolding situation.
