Mr. Speaker, Canadians are watching developments in the Middle East with great alarm and dismay.
We are witnessing the worst violence seen in recent years, with casualties mounting on all sides. It appears that the prospects for a meaningful peace between Israelis and Palestinians may be in jeopardy.
All Canadians are holding their breath in the hope that today's emergency summit meeting in Egypt will bring an end to the violence and a return to the negotiating table.
Canada's role should not be to lay blame. Canada's role should not be to support inflammatory, lopsided resolutions. Canada's role should be to live up to our well earned reputation as a peacekeeper and an effective negotiator on the world stage.
We ask the people of the Middle East to exercise restraint and place reason over passion in their march toward peace.
Here in our own communities, we must also remember to hold true to the Canadian values of equality, tolerance and compassion.