Premier calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

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This article was published 12/03/2024 (601 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — On the first day of Ramadan, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

During ministerial statements in the legislative assembly Monday, Kinew said while he believes Hamas should be eliminated after it stormed southern Israel in an Oct. 7 attack that killed an estimated 1,200 people, it appears the Palestinian people are being held “collectively responsible for the inhumane actions of Hamas.”

The scale of destruction by Israeli forces going after Hamas that has left an estimated 30,000 Palestinians dead and Gaza facing famine is “incompatible” with Manitoba’s values, Kinew told the house.

“After some five months of war in Gaza, have we seen the government of Israel wage this war in a way that is narrow and targeted, or in a way that shows little regard for civilians?” the premier asked.

Calling for a ceasefire, he said, is part of being an ally to Jewish and Muslim Manitobans.

The move was applauded by the Manitoba Islamic Association.

“That’s very, very important,” association board member Hakim Ghulam told the Winnipeg Free Press Monday. “What is happening in Gaza is not only a Muslim crisis, it’s a humanitarian crisis.”

Images of children starving, bombs falling and people dying should compel people to feel something and respond, Ghulam said.

“We have this embedded software inside — ‘this is wrong, this is right’ — when you see all this happening,” he said.

Ghulam said he hopes seeing someone in a position of power speak up will embolden more people whose hearts are breaking to also speak up and push for a ceasefire.

Outside the chamber, the premier called on the federal government to act.

“I think it’s important in these moments of global suffering and conflict to speak with moral clarity,” Kinew said. “I would hope that the federal government moves in a similar direction.”

The announcement was expected by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.

“We share the premier’s concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people at the hands of Hamas, who deserve to live free of Hamas’ grip of terror and oppression,” spokesman Adam Levy said in an emailed statement Monday.

Kinew said he considered calling for a ceasefire sooner — when MLAs returned to the house last week — but decided to wait until the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.

More than 300 Muslim groups in Canada — including the Manitoba Islamic Association — told federal MPs earlier if they didn’t act to end the war and defend Palestinian rights, they wouldn’t be invited to speak to congregants during Ramadan community gatherings.

Kinew said he usually attends a few events during Ramadan, including Eid celebrations marking the end of the holy month.

“I would hope to do the same this year.”

He may have no influence on resolving the war, but his words carry weight with Jewish and Muslim communities in the province that are dealing with Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents that have been on the rise.

“The Jewish community continues to consult with the Government of Manitoba regarding the war and its impact on the Jewish community and all Manitobans,” the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg’s statement said. “We fervently pray for the safe return of all hostages held captive by Hamas, emphasizing our unwavering commitment to the value of human life and dignity.”

The NDP government’s first throne speech called for the Manitoba curriculum to include education to counter Islamophobia and antisemitism.

“This time has been very divisive and difficult to keep everyone together as Manitobans, but I believe it’s possible to do so but still ask that civilian life in Gaza be protected,” Kinew told reporters Monday before his government introduced a motion calling on the legislative assembly to fully support a ceasefire to address the famine crisis.

The Progressive Conservatives opposed the wording.

“PCs brought forward a sensible amendment today that considered all civilians caught in the crossfire of this conflict,” a statement from interim Tory Leader Wayne Ewasko said.

“We affirmed our commitment to peace and security, encouraged negotiations of a ceasefire, including the release of hostages, and called for the safe and secure provision of aid to end the unfolding famine crisis,” Ewasko said. The NDP opposed the amendment.

A private member’s bill introduced Monday by NDP MLA Nellie Kennedy (Assiniboia) proposed October of each year be proclaimed Islamic Heritage Month.

» Winnipeg Free Press