August 8, 2014 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“It is inexcusable and completely unacceptable that Hamas has yet again chosen death, destruction and terror over peace, negotiations and a cessation of violence.
“Terrorism is a serious threat to all democratic nations, and it must be confronted. Israel is continually on the front lines of this threat, and Canada upholds Israel’s right and duty to defend itself and its citizens from such abhorrent, indiscriminate attacks.
“Peace-loving nations around the world must denounce this latest provocation of violence by Hamas and stand by Israel, the only liberal democratic nation in the Middle East.
“The only solution in Gaza is one in which Hamas lays down its arms and is completely demilitarized.
“Canada believes the Palestinian people deserve better than Hamas’s reckless actions; both Israelis and Palestinians deserve a future of peace, security and prosperity. Hamas is solely to blame for any further loss of innocent life.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @DFATDCanada
Like us on Facebook: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada-DFATD
