Harper's Middle East policy counterproductive

Harper's Middle East policy counterproductive

(Ottawa - Friday, 26 July 2006) By calling Israeli attacks on Lebanon 'a measured response,' Prime Minister Stephen Harper shows he has a poor grasp of international humanitarian law and the conflict in the Middle East, said Green Party of Canada Leader Jim Harris today.

Harris was responding to comments made by Prime Minister Harper this past week that Israel's bombardment of southern Lebanon was 'a measured response' to Hezbollah attacks. According to human rights organizations, both Israel and Hezbollah have already caused hundreds of civilian casualties in the conflict that began July 12.

According to Human Rights Watch, Hezbollah attacks on Israel show signs of a deliberate attempt to harm civilians after rockets were found to be armed with metal ball bearings. At least 29 people have been killed by Hezbollah attacks on Israel and more than 306 people - including eight Canadians - have been killed from Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon.

"Canada's role in the Middle East should be to reduce tensions, find working solutions and uphold international humanitarian law, not to take sides in a chronic conflict where both sides have justifiable claims and questionable tactics," said Green Party of Canada Foreign Affairs Advocate, Eric Walton.

Elected Green Party MPs will work to support a two-state solution to the Israel/Palestine crisis and also seek to incorporate an international plan for stimulating economic prosperity in both nations.

"Siding primarily with Israeli and U.S. foreign policy in this region is an unwise shift for Canada and reduces our potential to make a difference in helping to bring comprehensive peace to the region," said Walton.


For more information:
Van Ferrier
Media Relations Officer

Authorized by the Chief Agent of the Green Party of Canada
Information: media@greenparty.ca

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