Canadian political party says Canada must cut trade ties with Israel over its 'forced starvation of Palestinians'

Canada’s left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) on Friday called on the Canadian Prime Minister to suspend its free trade agreement with Israel and impose sanctions over its "forced starvation of Palestinians in Gaza".

In a statement, NDP MP Heather McPherson said, “The current humanitarian blockade and forced starvation of Palestinians in Gaza violates every moral code and relevant international legal norms. Bombings, shootings, starvation, dehumanization – Netanyahu and his cabinet are war criminals who must be brought to justice,”.

Canada, along with France and the UK, this week condemned Israel’s food, water, and aid blockade on Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank. The countries said they would “not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions”.

The EU and UK are currently revisiting their trade agreements with Israel.

But McPherson said such threats “ring hollow as thousands more Palestinians are slaughtered indiscriminately and thousands more risk starving to death”.

Canada must do the same and suspend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

“Palestinians, like all people, deserve life. They deserve to thrive in their homeland without fear of genocide, annexation, and starvation,” she added.