Heather
Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Heather McPherson criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government for supporting Israel’s right to strike Gaza and not demanding an immediate ceasefire during the deadly air strikes. Her speech in the Canadian parliament received applause at the end.
In response to McPherson’s comments, the Canadian Deputy Prime Minister expressed Ottawa’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
McPherson highlighted the devastating impact of recent violence, including a Hamas attack on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 Israeli civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, some of whom were Canadians.
She strongly condemned these terrorist attacks by Hamas and their violations of international law. McPherson also addressed the rising antisemitism and anti-Palestinian racism that has emerged globally, including in Canada, calling for increased security at places of worship and urging members of the Canadian Parliament to understand the deep pain within affected communities.
She expressed her grief for those who have lost loved ones and called for the immediate release of hostages.
McPherson emphasized the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed that adherence to international law is essential, noting that one war crime should not be used to justify another and that retribution does not bring peace.
She concluded by reminding members of the House that international law was not created by pacifists.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense has designated around 2000 troops for potential deployment in support of Israel. These troops, hailing from various branches of the US armed services, will primarily offer advisory and medical assistance.
The Wall Street Journal, an American newspaper has disclosed this on Tuesday.
Currently, they are stationed in different regions, including the Middle East and Europe. It’s essential to clarify that these troops are not slated for combat roles, and US officials have not placed any on standby for immediate deployment.
The specific circumstances triggering the deployment of these troops and their ultimate destination remain uncertain, as outlined by The Wall Street Journal.
During an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” President Joe Biden was queried about the possibility of US troops engaging in combat during the Israel-Hamas conflict. He expressed his belief that such involvement was unnecessary, noting the robust capabilities of Israel’s own military forces.
