ɫɫ��

The attacks of Oct. 7 were no doubt a terrible trauma that will mark Israel forever. Of course, the country would want justice for the 1,200 people killed, most of them civilians; the safe return of the remaining hostages; and enduring security for all Israelis. The impulse to rid the world of Hamas, which since its inception has been dedicated to the destruction of Israel, is entirely understandable.

But nothing can justify the level of civilian death and suffering we are witnessing. Nothing can justify Israel’s unrelenting violence, which, whatever the motivations, poses a mounting threat to an entire people — violence that every day adds more weight to allegations of genocide.

It has rarely been harder to see a path to enduring peace, to two states for two peoples, side by side, with dignity and security for all. But any path must begin with a ceasefire, the release of the remaining hostages and urgent and adequate humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Many western nations, including Canada, have long understood this. Since the start of the war, they have been calling on Israel to show restraint, to abide by international law. Increasingly, they have been calling for a ceasefire. Those calls aren’t working. The international community, Canada included, must now change its tactics.

Canada announced this week that, in September, it would join a growing group of countries by recognizing a Palestinian state. It made this promise with conditions; namely, that the Palestinian Authority must agree to certain democratic reforms and demilitarization. This is the right thing, pursued in the right way. Canada’s decision acknowledges two important truths: that Palestinian statehood must be a priority; and that it can’t be achieved through negotiation when neither the Netanyahu government nor Hamas wants it. “Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism,” said Mark Carney, in a rightful rebuke of both parties.

But this gesture, while important, is not enough. If Israel continues to ignore the world’s demands that it abide by international law, then the world, including Canada, must ratchet up the pressure.

Canada can do that by reaffirming its commitment to the institutions and processes of international law, including the decisions, whatever they may be, of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. If we support the international legal process for some, we must support it for all.

We can do that by immediately implementing a two-way arms embargo on all military equipment and components to Israel, including through third states. Despite Ottawa’s denials, there is increasing evidence that Canadian arms are still getting through to Israel. If true, that must stop.

We can do that, for at least as long as this war lasts, by revisiting our trade agreements with Israel, at the very least banning any goods that originate from illegal settlements in the occupied territories. Just as we must not contribute in any way to Israel’s war in Gaza, we must not be complicit in the country’s illegal expansionism.

If Israel’s aim, as is often claimed, is to ensure the security of Israelis, end the tyranny of Hamas, and bring home the hostages, its current approach isn’t working. It is instead guaranteeing instability and animus for generations to come, while undermining its own standing on the world stage. The human and societal toll of its relentless bombardment and cruel aid blockade is intolerable. The death and starvation, the threat to a people. Canada’s words are getting stronger. But in the face of such horror, words are not enough.