The Government of Canada has carefully considered the First
Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International
Development (the “report”).
The Government would like to thank the members of the
Committee for the opportunity to respond to the recommendations contained in
the report. The Government would also like to thank the Committee for their
efforts in preparing it and welcomes the continuing interest of the Committee
on the issues of human rights and religious freedom in the Middle East and
North Africa.
Below is the Government’s response to the specific
recommendations made by the Committee.
Recommendation 1
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada
officially recognize the experience of Jewish refugees who were displaced from
states in the Middle East and North Africa after 1948.
The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.
Fair and equal acknowledgement of all refugee populations arising out of the
Arab-Israeli conflict requires the recognition of Jewish refugees. The
Government shares the Committee’s belief that such recognition does not
diminish or compete with the situation of Palestinian refugees.
Canada’s foreign policy objectives place a high importance
on respect for human rights. The Government’s commitment to defend and promote
the rights of religious communities was underlined by the creation last year of
the Office of Religious Freedom, which also promotes the value of diversity and
policies that encourage pluralism for the benefit of all, regardless of
religious affiliation.
Recommendation 2
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada
encourage the direct negotiating parties to take into account all refugee
populations as part of any just and comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian
and Arab-Israeli conflicts.
The Government of Canada understands the positive intent
underlying this recommendation but at this time, Canada has offered its support
to the peace process as presently structured. The current Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations take place in the context of the Arab Peace Initiative, which
offers Israel peace with the broader Arab world if it reaches an agreement with
the Palestinians. There currently are no direct negotiations on the subject of
Jewish refugees between Israel and the refugees’ countries of origin in the
Middle East and North Africa.
Canada continues to advocate for a comprehensive, two-state
solution reached through a negotiated agreement between the two parties that
guarantees Israel’s right to live in peace and security with its neighbours and
leads to the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian state.
Canada welcomes the re-launch of direct talks between the Israelis and the
Palestinians, congratulates both sides on taking this courageous and necessary
step, commends U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for the leadership he has
shown in the peace process, and supports him in this endeavour.
Canada stands ready to assist the peace process in any way
it can. When U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry undertook a $100 million
initiative to contribute to economic development in the West Bank, Canada was
the first country to respond, contributing $5 million towards that effort.
However, an agreement will have to be reached by the Israelis and Palestinians
themselves and not by others. Canada is prepared to support the two parties and
the U.S.-led process. On January 20, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced $66 million in additional support for the Palestinian people in the West
Bank and Gaza to help advance the peace process, promote security and the rule
of law, stimulate sustainable economic growth and deliver humanitarian
assistance.