Cooperation Canada Statement on Gaza
Gaza’s entire population is pushed to the brink—starved under relentless bombardment and repeated forced displacement. Mortality rates from hunger and disease have surged for both children and adults, driven by Israel’s 11-week siege that has cut off access to food, water, electricity and critical medical aid. A new report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warns that famine is now “increasingly likely” unless the siege is lifted and humanitarian access is urgently restored.
Over the past 19 months, the world has watched in horror as more than 53,000 Palestinians—most of them women and children—have been killed by armed violence in Gaza. This is not a natural disaster; it is a human-engineered catastrophe.
As the national voice for international cooperation, Cooperation Canada is calling on the Government of Canada to take swift, strong and unequivocal action to confront this escalating crisis.
Humanitarian Aid Must Not Be Weaponized
The crisis is deepening, with Israel’s proposal to militarize aid delivery. Turning humanitarian relief into a tool of control puts civilians at even greater risk, undermines the neutrality of aid work and threatens to plunge Gaza into further chaos. It endangers the very principles that make humanitarian action possible—and sets a dangerous global precedent.
Over 400 humanitarian workers have already lost their lives in Gaza. This must stop.
Words Must Now Become Action
We acknowledge and welcome the Canadian government’s recent statements denouncing the use of food as a weapon, along with its joint declarations with the UK and France affirming the need for independent, neutral humanitarian aid. These are vital signals of growing international resolve—but they cannot stand alone.
The military offensive in Gaza is not slowing down—it is accelerating. After 19 months of destruction, starvation and displacement, the time has come for Canada to take a clear and courageous stand in both word and deed—consistent with international law and mounting global pressure.
Our Call to Action
We urge the Government of Canada, with decisive action, to lead efforts to:
- Increase pressure on all parties to the conflict to adhere to an immediate and definitive ceasefire to protect civilians, enable the safe and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as the release of hostages and unlawfully detained prisoners.
- Seize Canada’s leading role on the world stage, including through the G7 and the upcoming June UN conference on the two-state solution, to increase pressure for a prompt resolution to the conflict and respect for international humanitarian law (IHL).
- Clearly state that Canada will not provide any financial or other support to the newly proposed aid delivery mechanism.
- Strongly oppose measures that violate the impartiality and independence of humanitarian operations, in particular the vetting of beneficiaries or staff. Experience shows that such vetting imposed by Israel has been used to arbitrarily deny access to individuals and organizations without due process or explanation.
- Take concrete economic and diplomatic restrictive measures, starting with halting all arms exports to Israel (including through the United States), while encouraging allies to do the same.
- Expand coalitions and collective statements with like-minded countries to firmly reject Israel’s immoral weaponization of aid as well as any plans to intensify military operations or displace the population.
Cooperation Canada stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza—and with all those around the world who are forced to endure inhumane conditions, unimaginable suffering and the denial of their most basic dignity.
