Ignatieff on current situation in Middle East

The following remarks were delivered by Michael Ignatieff this afternoon, Jan. 8 2009, in response to questions posed at a Town Hall meeting in Halifax:

1) Michael Ignatieff: And Israel's been attacked from Gaza not just last year but for almost ten years. They evacuated from Gaza so there is no occupation in Gaza. Israel's taken military action. But I think that we are now -- all Canadians are concerned with the humanitarian situation. And Canada has a great humanitarian reputation. So we should be doing whatever we can to ensure that humanitarian and medical relief gets there. And over the long term, I think Canada's going to want to ask the question: So what happens in Gaza after this is over? How does Gaza get rebuilt? How do lives get put together again? And, you know, I'm not saying anything that liberal party leaders haven't said for 60 years going back to Pearson which is at the end of the day, there are – they are military responses to problems which are justified but there are no military solutions. And ultimately, this thing has to end with an Israel which is recognized and safe and secure and recognized and living side-by-side in peace with the Palestinian state. And everybody knows that's where this has to go. And Canada's always played a role in moving the parties that way. And that's where we have to go.

2) Federal government appears to be blaming Hamas for all of this. What's your position? How do you respond to that? Michael Ignatieff: Hamas is a terrorist organization and Canada can't touch Hamas with a 10-foot pole. Hamas is to blame for organizing, instigating these rocket attacks, and then for sheltering among civilian populations. And Israel is justified in continuing military operations. But every Canadian, whatever community they are from, the Jewish community, the other Middle Eastern communities, is concerned about the humanitarian and human cost of this. And so the international community is attempting to drive this toward a ceasefire. And when that becomes a sensible thing to do, there should be a ceasefire. And thenCanada should be involved in the humanitarian and medical attempts to rebuild some shattered lives.

3) Question: You mentioned Hamas's responsibility for using human shields. Peter Kent made a similar point the other day when the school was hit, said Hamas bore the responsibility. Do you agree with that assessment that Hamas bears responsibility for civilian -- I think it's imprudent for a Liberal politician to agree with Peter Kent about anything. Look, this is an extremely ruthless organization, Hamas. We have to understand that many of the images we see out of Gaza are structured and created and organized by Hamas. I don't want to minimize -- let me be clear -- don't want to minimize the human suffering in Gaza. I have been to Gaza. I have been to refugee camps personally. I have walked the ground. And I think every Canadian, whatever community they come from; legitimately concerned about what happens if we have pitched battles inside the refugee camp. It's tight. It's crowded. It's a nightmare in my view. So everybody has apprehensions about where this is going. And I think we are approaching the time when a ceasefire will be appropriate. But let's be clear about the ceasefire issue. These rocket attacks have to stop. Right? It's just no ifs ands and butts about it and help we have to make sure, then we have to make sure that the humanitarian and medical needs are addressed. And we have to then as a generous country, compassionate country that we are, engage with Palestinian NGOs that are legitimate, engage with U.N. Organizations, engage with the Israeli government, engage with the international community to engage in reconstruction of Gaza. Because we don't want this to be -- remain as it is.