Former diplomats call for arms embargo on Israel, recognition of Palestinian state

By Canadian Press on July 30, 2025.

OTTAWA — Dozens of former senior Canadian diplomats are calling on the federal government to recognize a Palestinian state, saying Israel’s conduct in the West Bank and Gaza violates Canadian interests and values.

In a letter sent to media outlets Wednesday, the former diplomats say Ottawa should impose a full arms embargo on Israel and give notice it will suspend its trade agreement with Israel if the country doesn’t change course.

The letter was signed by 173 former Canadian diplomats who have held senior roles as ambassadors, high commissioners, consuls-general, deputy heads of mission or permanent representatives.

The principles Canada stands for, they warn, “are being abandoned daily with the massive displacement, indiscriminate bombardment and starvation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the violent attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank.”

Some of these former heads of mission, such as Ferry de Kerckhove, Kerry Buck, Guy Saint-Jacques and Jon Allen, are well known for their media commentary.

The former envoys say Canada should advocate for “a UN mission to monitor a ceasefire and create a protected humanitarian corridor” in Gaza.

They say Canada should also “continue to refuse to channel aid through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation or dangerous airdrops” and keep insisting that the channels set up by the UN are the most effective way to feed desperate Palestinians.

The ex-diplomats say Ottawa should “urgently impose trade restrictions on all Israeli exports originating from illegal settlements in the occupied territories” and sanction those “directly involved in or facilitating illegal settlements.”

The diplomats argue Israel’s security is at risk if it loses more standing in the global community.

“Canada has always been a steadfast supporter of the State of Israel. However, this cannot include a dispensation to forsake its responsibilities under international humanitarian law to protect civilians,” the letter says.

It argues that strong statements coming out of this week’s meeting in New York on a two-state solution need to be met with concrete actions, particularly given widespread reports of starvation in Gaza.

“The Israeli government has made some small but insufficient concessions to increase aid flows, while continuing to bomb and kill civilians,” the letter reads.

The former diplomats say recognition of Palestinian statehood would encourage serious peace talks and tell Israel “that it does not have a veto” on the matter.

“Recognition will not only reinforce our long-standing commitment to the self-determination of the Palestinian people but also our total rejection of any effort to displace or expel Palestinians,” the former diplomats argue.

“It will create the political space needed to set the stage for a serious bilateral negotiation process.”

The letter also calls on Hamas to lay down its arms and release hostages. It says Canada should “strengthen enforcement of financial regulations and criminal sanctions to disrupt and freeze any illegal flows of funding to Hamas or other terrorist groups.”

It says Canada “must encourage Palestinians to build a new vision for Palestine that eschews terrorism and violence and recognizes Israel’s right to exist in peace and security.”

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is mounting a campaign against recognizing a Palestinian state, arguing that “hollow statehood recognition will only reward and embolden Hamas.”

The group noted Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comment in June that there must be “a Zionist, if you will, Palestinian state that recognizes the right of Israel to exist.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press