Incoming UN Ambassador David Lametti emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation of all evidence before Canada can acknowledge any potential genocide in Gaza committed by Israel. He explains that Canada typically aligns its recognition with decisions made by authoritative bodies like the UN or the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in similar cases.
Lametti, who was recently announced as Canada’s next UN ambassador, highlights Canada’s historical approach of awaiting international rulings on genocide recognition before taking a stance. His statements follow a recent UN inquiry that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, a claim strongly denied by Israel’s UN ambassador, who dismissed the report as biased.
The UN report details various atrocities in Gaza, including killings, aid blockages, forced displacement, and destruction of essential facilities, supporting the claim of genocide. Despite this, the ICJ has not rendered a verdict on the matter.
In a separate case, the ICJ directed Israel in January 2024 to prevent any actions that could be classified as genocide under the Genocide Convention. This decision, while legally binding, lacked enforcement capabilities. The ICJ did not dismiss the case brought by South Africa regarding Israel’s alleged genocide in Gaza.
Lametti’s stance aligns with Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s view that any determination of genocide must be based on a comprehensive legal process involving evidence submission. Meanwhile, Canada is poised to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting, in line with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s previous announcement conditional on Palestinian electoral commitments and democratic reforms.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand distinguishes between “recognition” and “normalization” in the context of Palestinian statehood, stressing the importance of the former for preserving the two-state solution’s viability. She clarifies that recognition differs from normalization, which entails establishing diplomatic relations, including embassy openings and citizen transfers between states.
Carney’s conditions for recognizing Palestine include barring Hamas from the proposed election, releasing Israeli captives, and demilitarizing the future Palestinian state. The aim is to support a just and peaceful two-state solution in the Middle East, addressing the complex political dynamics in the region.