2024 is already looking very grim for the peace-loving peoples of the world. The ongoing NATO war against the Russian Federation continues with fresh escalations on a daily basis. Most recently, civilians in Belgorod were attacked with cluster munitions while Russia fired dozens of missiles at military targets throughout Ukraine which also claimed civilian lives. This bloody war is now approaching its second anniversary.

The danger of a devastating regional war in the Middle East (West Asia) is increasing by the day. Millions of people will die if the current genocidal war against Palestine cannot be brought to an immediate end with a permanent ceasefire, an end to Zionist occupation of Palestine and the creation of a Palestinian state. The Zionist regime is counting on a wider

In November 2023, the armed forces of the Yemeni “Houthis” began to support the Palestinian resistance by trying to close the Bab el-Mandeb to all ships heading to Israel. Bab el-Mandeb is the strait which leads into the Red Sea and is a crucial shipping lane leading to the Suez Canal. Recently the USA has put together another Zionist/Imperialist friendly “coalition of the willing” which includes Canada to try and keep this waterway open.

On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, the Israeli occupation forces killed Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of the Palestinian resistance organization Hamas. While Israel has not yet officially taken responsibility for this attack it is widely known that al-Arouri was on the “hit list” of the Zionist government. This execution took place in southern Beirut and prompted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to declare that his organization is “not afraid of war.”

And on January 3, 2024, there was a devastating terrorist attack on mourners of the Iranian Major General Qassam Soleimani who was assassinated by the USA while on his way to peace talks in 2020. News reports state that at least 84 people were killed and 284 were wounded. While the CIA/MI6 and Mossad-created Daesh (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for these terrorist bombings, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi responded by saying “I warn the Zionist regime, do not doubt that you will pay a heavy price for this crime and the crimes you have committed.”

Zionist attacks on Syria are continuing. Aleppo and Damascus were attacked in October and December of last year and fresh missile attacks occurred on January 1 and 2 of 2024.

In the face of these escalating attacks by Israel, the Canadian government’s response is deafening silence. This is another example of support for Zionist crimes by the Trudeau Liberals.

The implications of the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the growing danger of a much wider conflict in West Asia is more death and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank and the serious danger of war with Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, and Syria.

At home there is also growing Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, often at the hands of white supremacists prepared to use any opportunity to push their hateful messages.

Zionism, a profoundly racist political ideology, has strong support among all Parliamentary political parties in Canada. Specifically, the pro-Israel lobby has targeted visibly racialized people, most often women, who dare to speak out and mobilize against genocide. We are only too familiar with these tactics.

In the recent past, Canadians of Russian and Chinese descent have experienced similar attacks as a side effect of US/ NATO’s aggression and war.

The Canadian Peace Congress condemns moves by various governments at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels to criminalize those opposing Israeli policies and actions. Notably, Liberal and other Parliamentarians are attempting to silence students across Canada struggling against genocide. We will not be intimidated or silenced!

Struggles for national liberation cannot in any way be described as terrorism. The Canadian Peace Congress condemns all forms of terrorism and calls upon the peace movement to step up efforts to bring a halt to the genocidal war in Palestine and NATO aggression in Eastern Europe. Immediate and permanent ceasefires are urgently needed and all efforts must be made to force the Canadian government to adhere to international law and use its resources to bring diplomacy to the table. In terms of the Middle East, the Congress recognizes that only an end to Zionist occupation of Palestine will lead to peace.

CEASEFIRE NOW! END THE OCCUPATION!

CANADA OUT OF NATO!

PEACE IN 2024!

Executive, Canadian Peace Congress

January 10, 2024