May 30 2024

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) condemns the attacks by Israeli forces on civilians in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

We are deeply disturbed by the horrifying scenes out of Rafah and by Israel’s military attacks that have killed and injured Palestinian civilians. This includes the displacement of people living in temporary shelters who were forced to flee violence elsewhere in Gaza and were told by the government of Israel to relocate to Rafah where they would be safe.

NUPGE condemns this indiscriminate violence and the creation of an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. There is no justification for this horror.

The government of Israel must abide by the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling to halt the military offensive in Rafah, to prevent a genocide in Gaza, and to remove barriers to the provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid and basic services in Gaza. The Netanyahu government has failed to abide by ICJ rulings and has violated international laws.

NUPGE joins other national and international organizations in demanding that the Canadian government act, which includes ensuring Israel abides by the ICJ rulings and by implementing an arms embargo on Israel to stop these atrocities being committed in Gaza. We must not be silent or complicit.

NUPGE reiterates the call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Israel-Palestine. The government of Israel must restore basic services and humanitarian aid in Gaza and end its occupation of Palestinian territories as a critical step towards a just and lasting peace for all.