Sanctions for Gaza demolitions
Petitioners ask Canada to sanction and investigate individuals and entities for Israeli‑sponsored demolitions in Gaza, implement snap‑back sanctions, coordinate allied measures, and halt unlawful demolitions. The government responds it has imposed coordinated sanctions.
Why we would sign this petition
- Would enable Canada to investigate and sanction the individuals and entities the petitioners identify, increasing accountability for destruction of civilian property.
- A snap‑back sanctions mechanism would provide a clear, rapid response if mass demolitions, renewed hostilities, or new settlements occur, deterring escalation.
- Coordinating measures with allies would amplify pressure, reduce opportunities for evasion, and increase legal and diplomatic consistency across jurisdictions.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Sanctions can have unintended effects on civilians or humanitarian access in Gaza if not narrowly targeted and carefully implemented.
- Targeting actors linked to Israel could complicate diplomatic relations and cooperation needed for broader peace processes or reconstruction.
- The measures' effectiveness depends on reliable evidence and international buy‑in; poorly targeted or legally contested sanctions may be ineffective or counterproductive.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: • Until now, Canada has not sanctioned entities for their activities in Gaza; • According to the UN, Israel's latest military campaign has damaged or destroyed 92% of housing units in the Gaza Strip; • Under Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, Canada is required to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law; • Under international humanitarian law, distinction between civilian and military objects is a fundamental and cardinal principle and civilian objects may not be targets of attack; • Under Additional Protocol 1, an object is civilian unless actively in use for military action, may not be designated a military object based on hypothetical or potential use, and is presumed to be civilian unless proven otherwise, and • Under Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, civilian objects in contexts of military occupation are subject to even further legal protection; • Under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel, as an occupying power may not transfer or deport protected persons from the occupied territory, including by means of home demolitions; • Individuals and entities involved in Israeli-sponsored demolition of property and civilian objects in Gaza are implicated in serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Therefore, we, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Investigate and sanction individuals and entities involved in serious violations of international law across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the systematic destruction of civilian property. 2. Impose sanctions upon key individuals and entities involved in Israeli-sponsored demolition of property and civilian objects in Gaza, including Harel Libi, Libi Construction Ltd., Alon Elgali, Meshek Afar Ltd., Uria Loberbom, and the Uria Unit. 3. Implement a snap-back sanctions mechanism should mass demolitions persist, hostilities resume following the return of captives, new Israeli settlements appear in Gaza, or evidence emerges of a planned permanent Israeli presence. 4. Coordinate with allied countries to support synchronized and consistent application of sanctions across jurisdictions. 5. Insist that the unlawful demolition of Palestinian property across the OPT cease.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant Canada remains deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza. While the Gaza peace plan has brought a measure of relief, the Gaza Strip continues to face an acute humanitarian crisis, frequent deadly hostilities, and large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure. The 20-point plan is the most viable pathway to peace and Canada continues to urge Israel and Hamas to implement its terms in full. The parties must also fully adhere to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and the principle of distinction vis-à-vis civilian objects and infrastructure. The ongoing surge in extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is abhorrent. The number of these attacks continues to rise annually, with Palestinians subjected to killings, physical and verbal assaults, damage to private property, and the destruction of farmland. These attacks have resulted in the forced displacement of Palestinian communities. Violence by extremist settlers threatens the viability of a two-state solution and poses a major risk to regional peace and security. Canada unequivocally condemns these acts of violence, as it does all violence targeting civilians. Canada continues to call for the protection of civilians and their property and the cessation of demolition of Palestinian property and urge Israeli authorities to uphold their responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians and hold perpetrators to account. Canada maintains measures to impose consequences on those responsible for extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians, including property damage. On May 16, 2024, Canada imposed sanctions through theSpecial Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations, under the Special Economic Measures Act. This marked a significant step in Canada’s response to ongoing extremist settler violence against Palestinians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories. Since the Extremist Settler Violence Regulations came into force, Canada has announced four rounds of sanctions targeting seventeen individuals and seven entities. Canada continues to coordinate closely with like-minded partners, including Australia, the European Union, Norway, and the United Kingdom, to impose consequences on those responsible for such harmful actions and attacks. Canada has played a leading role in addressing this unacceptable violence. Notably, it was the first country to sanction Daniella Weiss for her role in promoting extremist settler violence and advocating for the displacement of Palestinians. Canada was also the first to sanction Amana, an organization involved in supporting settlement activity through financial means and infrastructure development. Canada has also led efforts to impose sanctions on two high-ranking Israeli individuals who are Cabinet Ministers linked to extremist settler activity, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to imposing consequences and deterring such conduct at all levels. Canada stands ready to take further action and is actively examining additional options against those who advocate and engage in violence against Palestinians and the destruction of their property. Canada has also imposed four rounds of sanctions against Hamas and its affiliates under theSpecial Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations. Hamas is also a listed terrorist entity in Canada under the Criminal Code. It must follow through on its obligation under the 20-point plan to disarm and cede power. Canada remains committed to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East in the form of a Two-State Solution. As part of this objective, Canada is supporting the Palestinian Authority’s reform and capacity-building efforts so that it can reassume governance responsibilities in Gaza. Canada will continue to be a leading donor to the United Nations led humanitarian response in Palestine and is prepared to contribute to the response to Gaza’s significant stabilization, early recovery, and reconstruction needs, as conditions allow.