By Canadian Coalition for Democracies

Toronto, Canada - Friday, February 17, 2006 - In his first interview following the election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his government will not accept Hamas as long as it promotes terrorism. He went on to say, “For a nation to be truly democratic, that nation must renounce terrorism.” Furthermore, the Prime Minister stated on 14 Feb 2006, “Future assistance to any new Palestinian government will be reviewed against that government’s commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.”

Since 1993, Canada has given the Palestinian people over $310 million, while ignoring the PA Charter that still denies Israel’s right to exist and calls for her destruction through violence against the Jewish people. In addition, Canada has funded UNRWA, while being fully aware that this UN body has Hamas members on its payroll and that its assets have been used for terror against Israelis. Canada has funded Palestinian teachers without ever demanding that they do not teach the glory of martyrdom and the delegitmization of Israel and the Jews.

Canada believed this support would further peace with Israel and help the Palestinian Arabs build a stable society. Instead, the rampant corruption of Fatah and now the election of Hamas prove that the opposite has happened. Despite a third-of-a-billion Canadian tax dollars, Palestinian Arabs remain hopelessly dependant on foreign aid and committed to violently destroying the only true democracy in the Middle East.

The Canadian Coalition for Democracies is calling on the Prime Minister to suspend all aid to the Palestinians immediately until (1) the Palestinians have removed all incitement against Jews and Israel from their education system and controlled media, (2) the PLO and Hamas charters have been changed to eliminate the call for the destruction of Israel and the delegitimization of Israel and Jews, (3) militants have been disarmed, and (4) all acts of terrorism against Israel have ended for a period of at least two years, with the understanding that any resumption of terror will immediate end the flow of aid. Prime Minister Harper must not accept any declarations of convenience from Hamas - only meaningful action will be believed.

The Prime Minister has an opportunity to set the future tone of Canada’s foreign policy in keeping with Mr. Harper’s pledge to “articulate Canada’s core values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, free trade - and compassion for the less fortunate - on the international stage.” (P. 44 of the Election Platform). Immediate suspension of funding will ensure that Canadian tax dollars do not support those who employ terrorism to achieve political aims. It will also publicly declare that Canada will not be played for a fool by those who say one thing and do the opposite, as has traditionally been the case. Perhaps most importantly, it will help in the ascendancy of those Palestinian Arabs who truly want peace over those whose actions are directly harming the interests of all Palestinians.

CCD looks forward to Prime Minister Harper honouring his pledge to Canadians and the people of the Middle East.

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