The United Nations Assocation in Canada (UNA-Canada) feels compelled to comment on the recent fighting between Israelis and Palestinians and the horrific devastation it has left in its wake. It is reliably reported to have left at least 243 people killed, including too many women and children. While there was destruction in Israel as well, the fighting has left thousands of Palestinians homeless, inflicted heavy infra-structure damages on an already challenged community, and is likely to leave a lasting psychological impact on children.   

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“If there is a hell on earth, it is the lives of children in Gaza”, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, expressing deep shock at the continued air and artillery bombardment by the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza that had, at that point, already claimed the lives of more than 200 Palestinians, including 60 children, and injured thousands more. 

 

The Secretary General also noted that “these horrific events did not arise in isolation….they must be viewed in the context of decades of military occupation, political deadlock, grievances and hopelessness, and a failure to address the core issues at the heart of the conflict”.  As he welcomed the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel, he stressed that Israeli and Palestinian leaders all have a responsibility, beyond the restoration of clam, to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.

 

UNA-Canada joins the UN Secretary General and other world leaders of government and civil society in expressing our heart-felt condolences to those who have lost loved one in this conflict. We stand in solidarity with the United Nations in its commitment to working with Israelis and Palestinians, and with international and regional partners, to realize a lasting and just peace. We fervently hope the ceasefire holds, to allow the rebuilding and the healing to begin. Our hearts go out to all the victims of this senseless conflict.

 

Sarah Kambites

A /President & CEO

UNA-Canada

 

As a national civil society organization, UNA-Canada continues to raise awareness, concern and empathy on international issues that affect us all. A major focus of our programmes is to support youth as they gain empathy-based skills that enable them to live and serve as caring global citizens. For more information please visit our website at www.unac.org