June 1, 2020, Ottawa
Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
We are writing to you as retired Canadian diplomats, proud of Canada’s historical commitment to multilateral institutions and its reputation for supporting the rule of law.
As you know, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced publicly his intention to “annex” in the coming weeks a significant amount of land that Canada, and the international community, recognize as occupied
Palestinian Territory.
The unilateral annexation of territory is strictly prohibited under international law. This is a centrepiece of the Charter of the United Nations, San Francisco, 26 June 1945, and has been consolidated by treaties and resolutions, judicial rulings and scholarly writings ever since.
Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
We are writing to you as retired Canadian diplomats, proud of Canada’s historical commitment to multilateral institutions and its reputation for supporting the rule of law.
As you know, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced publicly his intention to “annex” in the coming weeks a significant amount of land that Canada, and the international community, recognize as occupied
Palestinian Territory.
The unilateral annexation of territory is strictly prohibited under international law. This is a centrepiece of the Charter of the United Nations, San Francisco, 26 June 1945, and has been consolidated by treaties and resolutions, judicial rulings and scholarly writings ever since.
Indeed, this prohibition has acquired the status of a jus cogens norm in international law, meaning that it is accepted as a fundamental principle of law by the international community. Territorial conquest and annexation are notorious for contributing to fateful results: war, political instability, economic ruin, systematic discrimination and human suffering.
Speaking specifically to the five-decade-long Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the UN Security Council has affirmed, on eight occasions since 1967, the principle of “the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory” by war or force. This principle was cited by the council to condemn as unlawful Israel’s two prior annexations of East Jerusalem, in 1980, and the Syrian Golan Heights in 1981. We would like to urge you to publicly acknowledge Canada’s commitment to multilateralism and the rule of law by issuing a statement that Canada reaffirms its position in support of all relevant UN resolutions, including UNSC resolution 2334, which was adopted on 23 December 2016. As you are no doubt aware, many of our allies have already spoken out
opposing the Israeli proposal. Significant Canadian civil society organizations, including some Christian churches and Jewish organizations, have also urged Canada to take a similar stand.
As former Canadian diplomats, we urge you to protect Canada’s good name in the international community by speaking loudly and clearly on this issue.
Yours sincerely,
See full letter, including French version and signatures.