National

Canada abstains from UN motion calling on Israel to end occupation of Gaza, West Bank

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2024 04:07 PM

Canada abstained today from a high-profile United Nations vote demanding that Israel end its "unlawful presence" in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank within a year.

Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, told the assembly the motion was too one-sided to support, though he said Ottawa agrees that Israel is illegally occupying Palestinian territories.

This morning's non-binding vote passed 124-14, and Canada was among 43 abstentions.

The State of Palestine brought the motion to the UN General Assembly, and Israel says the vote amounts to "diplomatic terrorism."

The resolution is based on a July ruling by the International Court of Justice, which condemned Israel’s rule over lands it captured in 1967 by force, saying this violates international laws.

Last December, Canada stopped its decade-long policy of backing Israel in almost any United Nations vote over concerns about the lack of progress toward a humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

CSIS to probe B.C. office after allegations of rape, harassment and toxic workplace

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service says the officer who was "implicated" in the allegations — made public in an investigation by The Canadian Press this week — was removed from the workplace. One officer says she was raped nine times in 2019 and 2020 by a senior colleague while in surveillance vehicles, and a second officer says she was later sexually assaulted by the same man despite bosses being warned not to pair him with young women.

CSIS to probe B.C. office after allegations of rape, harassment and toxic workplace

B.C. launching four-year study on how e-scooters fit into transport system

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says the scooters are part of an ongoing shift toward electric personal mobility that is cutting emissions. He says the review will make it easier for local governments to test the e-scooters on their own roads.

B.C. launching four-year study on how e-scooters fit into transport system

Investigators called to Richmond after two people found dead, says police

Mounties in Richmond say they are investigating a homicide after discovering two bodies inside a home on Thursday. RCMP say officers were called to the home after receiving a report of a "suspicious circumstance." Police say they found two people dead inside.

Investigators called to Richmond after two people found dead, says police

Lawyer in Ali murder trial says 13-year-old B.C. victim was not an 'innocent'

Ibrahim Ali's lawyer says the 13-year-old girl he's accused of murdering in a British Columbia park wasn't the "innocent" depicted in a "rose-coloured" portrayal by the Crown at trial. Kevin McCullough told the B.C. Supreme Court jury in his closing arguments that the version of the girl's lifestyle presented by the Crown is "at best, a partial picture" or "at worst, a lie."

Lawyer in Ali murder trial says 13-year-old B.C. victim was not an 'innocent'

IIO investigating death of man at Abbotsford Regional Hospital

B-C's police watchdog has been called to investigate the death of a man who police say was threatening staff at Abbotsford Regional Hospital with a weapon. Police in the Fraser Valley city say officers responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a man in possession of a weapon at the hospital yesterday afternoon.

IIO investigating death of man at Abbotsford Regional Hospital

Unemployment is trending upward across much of Canada, but Province says the labour force remains steady

Unemployment is trending upward across much of Canada, but B-C's government says the provincial labour force remains steady. Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey says Statistics Canada labour force survey shows B.C. gained nine thousand jobs last month.