I thank you for taking the time to write about the Liberal Party position on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. I understand that a concern has emerged with respect to our position due to a report in Now Magazine about comments made by Ken Dryden. I know Ken to be personally committed to the promotion of human rights and human dignity in Canada and around the world. I appreciate that he has taken the time to clarify the comments he made that were the basis of that article. His clarification is available here http://kendryden.liberal.ca/p3459_e.aspx - I encourage you to review Ken’s letter before passing judgment on this matter.
I would like to take this opportunity to outline our position on this matter. The international community cannot turn a blind-eye to the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Liberal Party position on this issue has remained consistent throughout my time as leader and from well before. Direct government-to-government assistance is not possible since the current government of Gaza is controlled by Hamas, which is recognized in Canada and around the world as a terrorist organization. Innocent civilians, however, should not have to suffer for the policies and actions of failed leadership. For that reason, the Liberal Party has supported and will continue to support the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza through international aid organizations. Any suggestion to the contrary is false.
I believe that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is the appropriate interlocutory on behalf of the Palestinian people. I fully support the providing of Canadian development aid to the PA – a position I publicly enunciated when Prime Minister Harper was slow to resume Canadian aid to the PA following in 2007.
Sincerely,
On behalf of the Office of the Hon. Stéphane Dion, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Official Opposition
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Leader of the Official Opposition
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
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