Canada accused of violating international law

A leading member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation has accused Canada of violating International law. Senior negotiator Saeb Erekat said that a meeting held by Foreign Minister John Baird with Israeli officials in occupied East Jerusalem is a flagrant violation of international law and breaches Canada’s commitment to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, of which it is a signatory.

“Your recent meeting with Israeli officials in East Jerusalem,” wrote Dr Erekat to Baird, “has the effect of attempting to legitimise the illegal situation on the ground and may be deemed as aiding, abetting or otherwise assisting illegal Israeli policies.” Israel’s unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognised by the world community.

As such, Erekat called on Canada and all other countries to respect international law, international conventions and UN Security Council resolutions, “which consider Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem to be null and void”.