Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) is calling on the federal government to take further action to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza and end the mass suffering of Palestinians.
HEU represents 68,000 health care workers across British Columbia, who are watching with alarm and distress at the scale of human suffering that has resulted from Israel’s siege on Gaza since October 2023.
Our union joins many other labour unions and humanitarian organizations across Canada and the world, in calling for an immediate ceasefire, and for an end to the humanitarian aid blockade in Gaza.
With Palestinian death tolls reaching 55,000 and 127,000 injured since October 2023 (numbers which international aid groups presume are underestimated), there is mounting evidence that the Israeli government’s military actions in Gaza are in violation of international humanitarian law.
Israel’s blockade of humanitarian and food aid into Gaza has created mass starvation and malnutrition that will have long-term effects for children in Gaza. More than 1,050 health care and aid workers in Palestine have been killed and hundreds are still being detained by the Israeli military. Health care facilities have been attacked more than 700 times. Airstrikes on schools and refugee camps have become commonplace, killing displaced families who were seeking shelter. More than 180 journalists and media workers have been killed.
Canada’s recent joint statement with the United Kingdom and France calling for an end to Israel’s military assault and humanitarian aid blockade was a step in the right direction.
But with continued bombardments of civilian populations, food and aid blockades, and attacks by Israeli soldiers on Gazans who are seeking aid, it is clear that Canada must demand the Israeli government end the mass suffering that it is directly perpetuating.
We call on the Canadian government to:
- Suspend exports to Israel of any and all arms and military equipment manufactured in Canada;
- Push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and a lift in all blockades of food, medical, and humanitarian aid to Gaza; and
- Demand accountability for any violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Now more than ever, Canada needs to lead the way, and join many others in the international community, towards a path that respects international law and human rights, including Palestinian human rights and right to self-determination.