Canada’s decision to abstain from voting for or against a United Nations resolution targeting Israel drew sharp criticism from various Jewish advocate groups.
Some groups accused the Trudeau government of abandoning its democratic ally in the Middle East and siding with Hamas.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said the resolution was “based on a problematic International Court of Justice advisory opinion that unfairly targets Israel.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Centre issued a release on Wednesday saying that the United Nations General Assembly Resolution disregarded historical context, legal principles, and Israel’s security concerns.
They added that the resolution demands Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank and East Jerusalem while making no corresponding demand for the Palestinian Authority to cease incitement in its media and schools advocating for the destruction of Israel.
The release pointed out that the resolution overlooks the pre-1967 historical context, specifically the war launched against Israel to eliminate the world’s only Jewish state. It further criticized the lack of a parallel demand for the Palestinian Authority to halt its incitement, including media and educational materials that call for Israel’s destruction.
The Simon Wiesenthal Centre’s release also highlighted the misrepresentation in the resolution, which labels East Jerusalem as “Palestinian Territory,” despite it being under Jordanian, not Palestinian, control from 1948 to 1967, a control that was itself gained through force.
“This resolution will not promote peace; it rewards attempts to destroy Israel incrementally by denying it defensible borders and reasonable security guarantees,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean for the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.
B’nai Brith Canada joined the groups critiquing Canada.
The director of research and advocacy for Canada’s oldest human rights organization told True North that Canada continues to allow other members of the UN to unduly attack the state of Israel.
“This resolution undermines Israel’s right to self-defence, endorses a one-sided narrative, and is contrary to the advancement of a two-state solution. It’s time for Canada to take a clear stand against such biased actions and support its democratic ally,” said Richard Robertson.
Abstaining from the vote was a change of pace for Canada. In Nov. 2023, the country said that it would vote no on resolutions “that do not address the complexities of the issues or seek to address the actions and responsibilities of all parties, including the destructive role of terrorist organizations like Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.”
The non-binding resolution passed with 124 countries voting yes, 14 voting no, and 43 abstaining.
The eight-page resolution introduced by the State of Palestine did not mention Hamas, the terrorist organization’s Oct. 7 attack where they murdered 1,200 Israelis, and was almost entirely anti-Israel, leading to opposing and abstaining countries criticizing that it did not work towards a peaceful resolution.
“This proposed resolution advances the flawed – and indeed, false – idea that adopting a text here in New York can somehow resolve what is easily one of the most complex and persistent diplomatic challenges of our time,” said the United States’ United Nations ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “It also fails to acknowledge, among other things, that Hamas, a terrorist organization, is currently exerting power, control, and influence in Gaza. And it refuses to address the reality that Israel, a United Nations Member State, simply has a right to protect and defend its people from acts of terror or violence.”
Argentina’s spokesperson agreed, saying that omitting the mention of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack would be irresponsible and cannot be ignored in this context.
“To advance in the implementation of this advisory opinion as is sought by the resolution adopted would put at risk the initiatives that are seeking to achieve a ceasefire to which the Republic of Argentina is strongly committed,” he said.
Canada’s United Nations spokesperson said that the country condemns Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and called for an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages.
The spokesperson said that Canada will continue to support UNRWA, despite previously discovered ties with Hamas.
“There is no mention in the resolution of the need to end terrorism, for which Israel has serious and legitimate security concerns. Canada continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism,” said Canada’s explanation of the vote. “We will always stand with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace, security, and dignity.”
The United States criticized any member state that considered imposing economic sanctions on Israel, as it would do nothing to expedite peace in the nation.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced imposing sanctions against four Israeli individuals and two Israeli entities on Wednesday.
“While the Trudeau government consistently expresses support for Israel’s right to defend itself, its actions fall short of these commitments. Policies like the arms embargo jeopardize Israel in its time of need. Furthermore, while Canada supports the International Court of Justice (ICJ), allowing it to be exploited to promote agendas that unfairly target Israel undermines its core mission. Canada frequently speaks in favor of Israel, but when the time comes for concrete action, their allyship is conspicuously absent.”
“We must not be guided by fear and despair,” said Thomas-Greenfield. “There is no path forward or hope offered through this resolution. Its adoption will not save Palestinian lives, bring the hostages home, end Israeli settlements, or reinvigorate the peace process.”
She urged other countries to vote no and to press Hamas to take the deal on the table.
The plea clearly fell on deaf ears, as nearly eight times as many countries voted in favour of the resolution than against it.
Nearly 14,000 Canadians joined CIJA in asking Trudeau to vote against the resolution prior to Wednesday’s vote.
“The Trudeau government has lost its moral compass and has not only abandoned its declared ally, Israel, but has also, once again, undermined the legitimacy of the International Court of Justice, an institution Canada claims to value,” said Shimon Koffler Fogel, President and CEO of CIJA.