May 31, 2010
Right
Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Building
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A2
Dear Prime
Minister Harper,
The recent
attack by Israeli Defense Forces on the Gaza
Freedom Flotilla killing human rights activists
has rightly outraged most Canadians and the
world. I am writing you, on behalf of the
National Union of Public and General Employees,
to condemn this attack during your meeting with
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This recent
attack requires an immediate and strong
condemnation from Canada. For Canada to remain
silent on this attack as other countries and the
United Nations criticize this horrific act on
unarmed activists is unconscionable.
Mr.
Netanyahu’s presence in Canada following this
attack accords you the opportunity to personally
impress upon him our concern over Israeli
aggression. Failure to do so is a betrayal of
Canada’s historical commitment to human rights.
Furthermore, I urge you and your government to
recall our ambassador to Israel and call for a
meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss
this matter.
Your
government in the past has steadfastly refused
to criticize the state of Israel. Surely this
action by the Israeli Defense Forces on the eve
of your meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister
will end this silence.
Sincerely
yours,
James Clancy
National President
