Mr. Speaker, I am tabling this petition that was collected by Doctors Against Genocide. They state that under common article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, Canada is required to respect international humanitarian law.
The petitioners highlight that under article 59 of the fourth Geneva Convention, Israel as an occupying power must allow and facilitate humanitarian aid by impartial organizations. Canada's own international assistance accountability act requires that all Canadian foreign aid uphold human rights and international legal standards, and Israel's policy and actions violate all of these obligations.
The petitioners demand the full restoration of access to UN agencies and established humanitarian NGOs, including UNRWA and the World Food Programme. They call on Canada to support them and insist on safe and immediate entry for Canadian health care workers and other international humanitarian personnel to Palestine; to withhold Canadian funding from any entity or model that does not comply with the principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence and humanity; and to ensure that all Canadian aid to Gaza is delivered through internationally recognized humanitarian channels.