The Yukon MP’s office was the site of a small protest critical of Canada’s conduct more than 100 days into the Israel-Hamas war that has seen a bloody Hamas incursion into Israel, extensive bombing of the Gaza Strip and a case before the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of perpetrating a genocide. Protesters also called for a free Palestine.
The Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants that kicked off this round of violence in the Palestinian territory that borders Israel, the Mediterranean Sea and Egypt killed 1,200 Israelis. More than 200 hostages were also taken. More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since.
On Jan. 15, nine people were out on the sidewalk in front of Yukon MP Brendan Hanley’s office, protesting Canada’s stance as the warfare in the Middle East escalates. The conflict now includes the bombing of Yemen by British and American forces in response to the disruption of international shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels. The Houthis have expressed support for the Palestinians; they have targeted ships bound for Israel and other countries with hijacking and, more recently, missile attacks.
Robin Reid-Fraser, who organized the Jan. 15 protest, said it was to recognize the 101st day of the bloodshed in Gaza but also as a response to Canada’s actions relating to the case before the International Court of Justice and the expansion of the conflict to Yemen.
“The Canadian government made a pretty wishy-washy statement that, you know, they believe in international law, they believe in the International Court of Justice, but did not actually support the premise of South Africa’s case,” Reid-Fraser said.
She said the protesters are calling on Canada to take “a much more principled position” in support of the charge that Israel is committing genocide.
“The countries such as the U.S. and U.K. have chosen to instead escalate that violence, and have basically made it pretty clear that they think that, you know, keeping global shipping operating normally is a greater priority to them than, you know, saving additional Palestinian lives,” Reid-Fraser added.
The national media has reported statements from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in which he said that members of the Canadian military helped plan the strikes on Yemen, but no Canadian assets actually participated.
As the protest was beginning, staff members from Hanley’s office came down and told organizers that the MP was busy but that he would be happy to meet with the demonstrators and hear their concerns later.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com