The pursuit of peace and safety of our shared planet has all the time pushed Greenpeace’s core values.
What is going on in Gaza will not be solely a humanitarian catastrophe however a grave environmental, human rights, and ethical disaster. For over 21 months, we now have witnessed devastation on an unimaginable scale. Tens of hundreds of civilians, lots of them youngsters, have been killed. Whole communities — together with houses, hospitals, faculties, locations of worship and water programs — have been worn out.
Gaza is dealing with a manufactured famine. Israel’s blockade has lower off meals, water, and support — deliberately ravenous over 2 million folks. Youngsters are dying from starvation whereas the world watches. This isn’t a pure catastrophe. It’s against the law in opposition to humanity, an intentional genocide unfolding earlier than our eyes.
This disaster has additionally had catastrophic environmental impacts. Greenhouse gasoline emissions from Israeli army operations in Palestine have launched extra emissions than the full annual emissions of 36 nations. [1] Past the emissions, water programs, farmland, and infrastructure have been destroyed, and dangerous poisonous waste and particles are dramatically fueling public well being dangers. That is an environmental disaster that may have an effect on generations to come back.
Environmental justice and human rights usually are not separate fights — they’re one and the identical. A livable planet calls for the liberation of its folks. There may be no inexperienced future on stolen land, and no justice whereas bombs rain down on harmless lives. That’s the reason we at Greenpeace condemn all violations of worldwide legislation and the collective punishment of civilians, whoever commits them.
To that finish, we’re urgently calling on the Canadian authorities and worldwide leaders to take significant motion to finish the violence. We demand that Canada: help a right away and everlasting ceasefire; halt all arms gross sales and army cooperation with Israel; make sure the secure and unrestricted supply of humanitarian support to Gaza; uphold worldwide legislation and human rights; and actively work towards a simply and lasting peace for each Palestinians and Israelis.
Dr. Tarek Loubani, Medical Director of Glia Worldwide and a member of Greenpeace Canada’s Board of Administrators, is at the moment in Gaza offering emergency medical companies to Palestinians at one of many final remaining hospitals in Gaza. In June, Greenpeace Canada projected a video of Tarek sharing eyewitness testimony, onto the facade of the Israeli consulate constructing in downtown Toronto.
Since 2023, Greenpeace activists around the globe have additionally been elevating their voices.
Greenpeace UK activists poured pink biodegradable dye into the fountain of america Embassy to represent the bloodshed fueled by arms exports. They have been joined by activists from Greenpeace France and Greenpeace Spain, who took related actions at fountains of their nations, and Greenpeace Indonesia activists, who held a peaceable protest in entrance of america Embassy in Jakarta. Greenpeace Netherlands and Greenpeace Worldwide activists known as on the Dutch authorities to take motion for Palestine and carried a banner studying “Ceasefire Now”, whereas Greenpeace Italy activists unfurled a blood-red banner within the Acqua Paola fountain in Rome with the phrases “Cease the massacre in Gaza.”
These are just some of the numerous actions taking place around the globe, and every represents a refusal to just accept a world the place some lives are handled as disposable. At Greenpeace Canada, we are going to proceed to talk up for the planet and its folks, and maintain these in energy accountable. Take a look at the current weblog by Yossi Cadan — our Managing Director — together with his reflections on the Israeli siege and why Greenpeace is performing in solidarity with the folks of Gaza.
It’s not unusual to really feel helpless in instances like these, however there are issues we will do.
Be part of us and demand that the Canadian authorities take motion now with sturdy and complete sanctions on Israel, together with an entire, instant arms embargo. You are able to do this by messaging Prime Minister Mark Carney on social media, sending him an e-mail or calling his workplace. Or in case you’d wish to make a donation, we advocate supporting organizations like UNRWA.
Collectively, we will push our governments to cease this insanity and push for peace, dignity, and security for all.
