NDP motion to recognize Gaza as independent state, call for ceasefire

The United Nations warned Monday of a crisis of mass starvation among Palestinians caught up in the violence in Gaza. Canadian political leaders were also speaking out on the issue but they’re divided over the solution.

In Gaza, thousands of people waited outside a United Nations food distribution center saying some are facing death because they can’t get food.

At the same time, Israel continued its attack on Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital.

The Israelis say senior Hamas terrorists are using the hospital. Palestinians say mostly women and children are trapped inside.

The head of the United Nations describes conditions in Gaza as a catastrophe.

“Famine in the northern part of gaza is imminent. More than half of all Palestinians in Gaza, 1.1 million people, have completely exhausted their food supplies and are facing catastrophic hunger,” said UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

READ MORE: Palestinians in Gaza begin Ramadan amid worsening hunger

In Ottawa, the NDP moved a motion in parliament calling on Canada to recognize Gaza as an independent state and demand an immediate ceasefire.

“Families are foraging for food left by rats. Children scrape flour off the dirt on the street, how can we let this happen?” says Heather McPherson.

The government kept a middle line, supporting a Palestinian state along with Israel’s right to defend itself.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly said, “Canada will remain committed to a two-state solution including the creation of a Palestinian state where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace security, and dignity.”

While the opposition conservatives vowed support for Israel, and said the NDP proposal would allow Hamas to benefit from its terror attack on Israel last October.

Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, echoed that thought.

“Calling for unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state and following a massacre of 12 hundred people is a direct reward for those heinous terrorist acts and therefore has no place in this context,” says Moed.

READ MORE: Hamilton high school students protest censorship when discussing Gaza