Toronto (April 10, 2018) — Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is deeply concerned by the one-sided comments from Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May regarding the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict. 

In a statement posted to the party’s website, May singles out Israel for condemnation yet makes no mention of the fact that — by its own admission — members of Hamas’ military wing have been among the violent protesters at the Gaza-Israel border. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by Canada since 2002.

Our organization despairs all loss of life and as such, remains deeply concerned that Hamas uses children and civilians as a buffer for armed militants attempting to infringe on Israel’s sovereign territory. The use of human shields is a violation of humanitarian law and is prohibited under the Geneva Conventions.

FSWC continues to advocate for a two-state solution in which Hamas will cease from terrorism and abandon its core mandate to destroy Israel. We hope that Ms. May and the Green Party of Canada equally recognize the fundamental freedoms and democracy of the Jewish state and its right to exist in peace.