Last week, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff had this to say about the Gaza offensive: “Canada has to support the right of a democratic country to defend itself”. The minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Peter Kent lent similar backing to Israel, saying: “The position of the government of Canada is that Hamas bears the burden of responsibility for the deepening humanitarian tragedy”. And just this Monday, Canada became the only member of the UN Human Rights Council, out of 47, to vote against a motion condemning the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza strip.
I agree with Michael Byers that, even when a state has the right to defend itself, it may potentially break international law with disproportionate tactics. The international community seems to be saying as much, and yet Canada remains unreflectively supportive.