"A ground invasion inflicting mass civilian casualties and displacement looks almost inevitable. To advocate for anything beyond a proportional response by Israel is to call for the collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza."
October 13, 2023
The Free Press Editorial Board is under fierce attack by pro-Israel groups for arguing that Israel’s “retaliation has to be proportional and has to be designed to directly target the attackers and Hamas — and not indiscriminately harm ordinary Palestinians.”
The rule of proportionality is a well-established principle in international humanitarian law. Belligerents are required to use means that prevent the incidental loss of civilian life. That The Free Press is upholding this fundamental principle should not be controversial.
At the time of writing, Israel is amassing its troops on the border. A ground invasion inflicting mass civilian casualties and displacement looks almost inevitable. To advocate for anything beyond a proportional response by Israel is to call for the collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza. If Canada has any respect for international law, it should be working to prevent the looming prospect of such a grave humanitarian crisis. Calls for further bloodshed should be drowned out by demands for a negotiated peace that respects the human dignity of all parties.
Jason Toney
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)
Address: 580 Sainte-Croix, Suite 060, Montreal, QC H4l 3X5
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