Gerard on the Middle East Conflict

This website is usually dedicated exclusively to the BC youth aspect of Gerard Kennedy's Liberal leadership campaign, but one of the most intensely and frequently discussed topics at Camp Wanna Be Free amongst BC and Western youth supporting a variety of Liberal leadership candidates was that of the current conflict in Northern Israel and Lebanon. For the benefit of the many of you who were and are interested in what Gerard has to say on such a crucial issue, his official statement (released early yesterday) is attached below. We extend our most sincere sympathies and condolences to the families of all those affected by this crisis.

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STATEMENT RE: CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

by the Hon. Gerard Kennedy, candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada:

I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the Canadian victims of the bombings in Lebanon.

All of the civilian casualties in the latest escalation of conflict are tragic and highly regrettable and should give rise to a ceasefire by all parties.

The safety of remaining Canadian citizens in the region should receive the Canadian government's highest priority.

I agree with the G8 call for "utmost restraint" on the part of Israel as it exercises its right of self-defense and I deplore the fact that extremists from Hezbollah and Hamas have once again hijacked the agenda in the Middle East.

The situation calls for urgent diplomatic initiatives to help change the predictable dynamics for further escalation now in place. As such, I welcome the G8 communique and I urge the Prime Minister to maintain the balanced viewpoint reflected in it, and exercise a constructive voice for Canada in this regard.

In particular, I call upon Prime Minister Harper to use Canadian diplomatic resources to dialogue with all legitimate parties in the region to establish conditions to defuse the current situation.

Canada can and should play a leadership role in working with the international community to find a peaceful resolution. I encourage the Harper government to do everything possible to act quickly and with purpose in this regard.

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