Channel Canadian aid through neutral actors

AI summary

Petitioners ask Canada to reject the militarized aid model in Palestine, restore access for UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs (including UNRWA and WFP), allow safe entry for Canadian aid workers, and channel Canadian aid through neutral humanitarian actors. The government responds that it supports UN-led humanitarian access and has committed over $400 million.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. 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 in Parliament Assembled to the following: Whereas: Under Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, Canada is required to respect international humanitarian law; Under Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel as an occupying power must allow and facilitate humanitarian aid by impartial organizations; Canada's own international Assistance Accountability Act requires that all Canadian foreign aid uphold human rights and international legal standards; and Israel's policy and actions violate all of these obligations. Therefore, we, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Publicly and unequivocally reject the militarized aid model currently used in Palestine; 2. Demand the full restoration of access for UN agencies and established humanitarian NGOs, including UNRWA and the World Food Programme; 3. Insist on safe and immediate entry for Canadian healthcare workers and other international humanitarian personnel to Palestine; 4. Withhold Canadian funding from any entity or model that does not comply with principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity; 5. Ensure that all Canadian aid to Gaza is delivered through internationally recognized humanitarian channels.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant The Government of Canada welcomed the launch of Phase 2 of the Gaza Peace Plan and the establishment of interim governance structures in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, including the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. Canada stands ready to work with the United States and international partners to realize the full potential of this plan, with a view to advancing the goal of a two-state solution. Following the horrors of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, which took the lives of nearly 1,200 people, including our citizens, and the subsequent conflict which has claimed countless civilian lives in Gaza, it is clear that a two-state solution is the only way of ensuring lasting peace, security, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Canada continues to unequivocally condemn Hamas for its terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023. Canada also welcomed the return of all living and deceased hostages and the relief that this provides to their families. Canada has imposed four rounds of sanctions against Hamas, and its affiliates, in response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas that began on October 7, 2023, and the threat that Hamas and its affiliates pose to regional security. While Canada welcomed the increased flows of aid enabled by the ceasefire and Peace Plan, Canada recognizes that these remain insufficient and remains deeply concerned by the enduring humanitarian situation and the restrictions on aid delivery that remain in place. Through diplomatic channels and public statements, Canada continues to call on Israel to allow the rapid and unimpeded access of United Nations-led humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza, in line with obligations under International Humanitarian Law. Canada is also concerned by Israel’s re-registration requirements for international non-governmental organizations, which risks their operations and further undermines the lifelines that sustain millions of Palestinians. Canada continues to call for United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations to be able to operate in Gaza in a sustained and predictable way. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Canada has and will continue to urge all parties—including Israel—to protect civilians, including medical and humanitarian workers, as well as civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, and to ensure the continuity of medical services to the civilian population. Canada has been clear that all parties must fully adhere to international law. Canada is equally concerned about the worsening conditions in the West Bank. Canada continues to condemn the illegal expansion of settlements and the significant increase in settler violence, forcing ongoing displacement in the West Bank. This undermines our longstanding commitment to a two-state solution. Canada has imposed sanctions on 17 individuals including two Ministers and 7 entities through four rounds of sanctions in relation to their role in participating in or facilitating extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians and their property. The government has been vocal on all these messages and continues to take action. Recent examples include: On November 26, 2025, Canada joined a joint statement calling on Israeli authorities to protect Palestinians in the West Bank in the face of rising settler violence. On December 30, 2025, Canada published along with likeminded (the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland) a joint statement on the Gaza humanitarian response, which addressed the international non-governmental organizations registration issue and called on Israel to ensure that international non-governmental organizations can operate. On January 28, 2026, Canada delivered a statement during the United Nations Security Council Open debate on The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, which said “the deregistration by Israel of key international non-governmental organizations has further undermined the lifelines that sustain millions of Palestinians. Canada continues to call for the increase of humanitarian assistance and reiterate that United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations must be able to operate in Gaza in a sustained and predictable way.” Also on January 28, 2026, Canada published along with other likeminded (Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) a statement on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East which also addressed the international non-governmental organization registration issue. On February 10, 2026, Canada published a statement strongly condemning the Israeli security cabinet’s recent decision to approve measures to expand Israeli control over the West Bank and calling on Israel to reverse this decision and immediately halt settlement expansion. On February 17, 2026, Canada signed a joint statement which condemned measures taken by the Israeli government to expand its unlawful presence in the West Bank, as well as any form of annexation, underscoring that such measures run contrary to international law and the Gaza Peace Plan. Other signatories included the Palestinian Authority, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union. On February 26, 2026, Canada delivered a statement at the Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories which included expressions of concern over developments in Gaza, food insecurity, and denial of health services and called on Israel to reverse its de-registration policy for international Non-Governmental Organizations and to facilitate humanitarian access into Gaza. On March 21, 2026, Canada joined a statement published by local diplomatic Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemning the escalating attacks by Israeli settlers and occupation forces against Palestinians in the West Bank and calling for accountability and protection for Palestinian communities. On March 31, 2026, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs published on social media a message expressing concern over an Israeli death penalty law that will in practice target Palestinians, describing the law as discriminatory and one that will enable settler violence while dehumanizing Palestinians. On April 28, 2026, Canada delivered a statement at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle Eastincluding the Palestinian Question. Canada’s statement included expressions of concern over the situation in Gaza and West Bank (settlements and extremist settler violence) and condemned Israel’s death penalty law. On May 7, 2026, the Prime Minister of Canada spoke with Palestinian Authority President Abbas to express concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and extremist settler violence in the West Bank, and to affirm Canada’s continued support to the humanitarian response, to the Palestinian Authority as it undertakes important governance reforms, and to efforts to preserve the prospects of a two-state solution. On May 8, 2026, Canada delivered a statement on behalf of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand at the United Nations Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting on West Bank including East Jerusalem, emphasizing that the increasing pace of settlement expansion and the sharp rise in extremist settler violence continue to undermine the human rights of Palestinians, further destabilize the region, and further entrench a trajectory that makes a two-state solution more difficult to achieve. On May 20, 2026, Canada delivered a statement at the World Health Assembly on Health Conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan reiterating Canada’s support for the World Health Organization’s as it seeks to address dire conditions on the ground. Canada has also taken significant action to support humanitarian relief in Palestine and to lay the foundations for long-term peace and stability by supporting the development of institutions and socio-economic conditions necessary for a viable two-state solution. Since October 7, 2023, Canada has committed more than $400 million in international assistance in response to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. This includes over $270 million in humanitarian assistance to experienced United Nation, Red Cross and non-government organisation partners with the necessary capacity to respond on the ground. Canada has a robust system in place to ensure that our funds go only to organizations that alleviate suffering by respecting humanitarian principles, upholding human rights and respecting international humanitarian law. Examples include the World Food Programme, the World Health Organisation, the Canadian Red Cross, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Canada is a longstanding supporter of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which plays a critical role assisting Palestinians, particularly with their experienced staff working in education and healthcare. On October 27, 2024, Canada led a statement with likeminded partner countries opposing Israel’s legislation against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s operations. On September 21, 2025, Canada announced its recognition of the State of Palestine as a necessary step to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, in the face of ongoing efforts to undermine it. This decision was taken in concert with key allies, recognizing that there was no room for delay in coordinating international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life. Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine was predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitments to: implement much-needed reforms, including the commitments by President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance; hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part; not militarize the Palestinian state. Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful co-existence of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous future. Canada is also intensifying efforts to support the Palestinian Authority’s implementation of its reform agenda so that it can deliver effective, democratic governance for Palestinians. On September 23, 2025, Canada announced over $47 million in new funding to strengthen economic resilience, judicial systems, governance structures, and democratization efforts in the West Bank and Gaza. Canada strongly supports United States, Egyptian, and Qatari efforts to bring an end to the war. Canada calls on the parties to fully uphold the ceasefire and engage in the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. The crucial next steps include Hamas following through on its commitment to transfer power and disarm, and Israel withdrawing behind agreed-upon lines while facilitating the rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Government has been clear that Hamas – a listed terrorist organization in Canada - must play no role in Palestine’s future governance. Canada has also deployed civilian and military representatives to the Civil Military Coordination Center established to monitor ceasefire implementation and advance efforts under the Gaza Peace Plan. Canadian officials will continue to work with counterparts to support the scale up of United Nations-led humanitarian assistance, in line with humanitarian principles. There is no military solution to this conflict—only a negotiated political solution will bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians. It is vital that the parties continue to engage constructively in negotiations to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement. Preserving the prospects for peace and stability in the region must be our collective priority.