In a move many are calling a breakthrough in the negotiation process between Israel and Hamas, Israel released 20 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a short video of Gilad Schalit. The video shows Schalit holding a Palestinian newspaper dated September 14th and provides proof that he is indeed alive. All 20 released prisoners were females, most of whom were charged for attempted murder and who were nearing the end of the prison sentence. The deal paves the way for further negotiations between the two sides. Hamas is demanding the release of 1000 prisoners in exchange for Schalit. The released video can be seen below.

Since Israel’s January 18th ceasefire, there have been numerous Hamas attacks on Israelis, with multiple rockets fired into Israel. Israel has been tolerant so far but it is coming to the point that they must once again take action against Hamas to protect Israeli citizens. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, “The cabinet’s position from the outset was that if there is rocket fire at southerners, there will be a response that will essentially be disproportionate.”
Disproportionate was a word that was used to describe Israel’s recent offensive in headlines across the world. It has been my position that Israel’s recent offensive has been very peaceful compared to most offensives in world history. In such a densely populated area, I was actually impressed by the low casualty toll. But many people would disagree with me… I can not even begin to fathom the response of these people when Israel takes disproportionate action.
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At 7 p.m. eastern time today, a unilateral ceasefire will begin in the Middle East. Israeli troops will suspend their offensive against Hamas. For the full story, click here.

Will this ceasefire help bring peace to the Middle East? Only time will tell.

CUPE National President Paul Moist denounces Sid Ryan's proposed resolution.

CUPE National president, Paul Moist, released a statement on January 13th calling Sid Ryan’s proposal wrong and discriminatory.

“As the national president of Canada’s largest union, with over 580,000 members, I can say that none of CUPE’s over 2,000 chartered bodies – including CUPE Ontario – have adopted such a resolution. I believe such a resolution is wrong and would violate the anti-discrimination standards set out in the CUPE Constitution. I will be using my influence in any debates on such a resolution to oppose its adoption.”
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Israeli Warplanes Strike Gaza

As fighting in the Gaza Strip continues into its third week, the United Nations Security Council passed a ceasefire resolution in an attempt to bring a halt to the violence. The vote was passed 14-0-1 with the US abstaining. Unfortunately, the cease fire agreement makes no sense for either party, reiterating their inability to truly understand the Middle East conflict.

On the Israeli side of the conflict, the ceasefire resolution inadequately addresses Israel’s security concerns. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reiterated that Israel “has never agreed to let an external body decide its right to protect the security of its citizens,” and that the proposed ceasefire agreement is simply “unworkable.”

The ceasefire agreement calls for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and for monitors to deploy along the Philadelphia Corridor to ensure Hamas does not continue to smuggle weapons from Egypt. It’s pretty obvious why Israel finds this resolution “inadequate.”
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As the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip lingers on, Canada remains committed to its view on the Middle East conflict. New comments from Peter Kent, Junior Foreign Minister and designated spokesman on the conflict clarify and strengthen Canada’s position on the hotly debated issue.

“Again, Hamas bears the burden of responsibility. This history of Hamas is to use civilian infrastructure and civilian populations as shields for their terrorist activities,” said Kent, rejecting any suggestion that Israel’s response to Hamas rocket attacks has been disproportionate.

Kent presents a valid point that’s often “forgotten” in the negative blitz of media attacks on Israel’s operation in the Gaza Strip. Hamas purposely operates in densely populated areas within the strip as a means of deterring Israeli retaliatory strikes. Just days ago, eyewitnesses in Gaza told the Associated Press Hamas militants were using the UN school hit by Israeli forces to fire mortars at Israeli soldiers. Video from late 2007 also confirms Hamas’ use of schools as an area from which to fire rockets at Israel. That video can be seen here. And to strengthen his case even more, a recently released video shows Hamas using UN sponsored ambulances to hide from Israeli forces operating in the strip.
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As the crisis between Hamas and Israel continues to escalate, another crisis unfolds. At least 39 Canadians remain stranded in Gaza desperate to leave. To make matters worse, Canada could have prevented the situation from occurring in the first place.

Last week, several governments appealed to Israel to help their citizens leave Gaza before a highly anticipated ground assault was set to take place. This prompted the Israeli government to allow and facilitate the transfer of approximately 300 nationals, including Americans, Russians, Ukrainians and Moldovans through the Erez Crossing into Israel.

Canadians should have been included in this group.
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Canada, along with the most powerful nations in the world, recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. Throughout most of the history of the Gaza Strip, these terrorists have not recognized Israel’s right to exist. As a result, they suicide bomb, fire rockets, and do everything they can to maim Israel. In return, Israel responds by taking out as many of the terrorists as possible. The difference between the two sides is that one attacks innocent civilians and one attacks recognized terrorists. These are the facts. People may argue that there are innocent civilian casualties killed by the Israelis, but isn’t that a part of war? No military in the world would be capable of completely avoiding civilians in such a densely populated area such as Gaza.
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Before I jump into the current conflict and escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas-ruled Gaza, some background information and history of the Gaza Strip will help paint the picture a little better. Although brief, it will certainly help make clear how the recent conflict came to be. I’ll also discuss various responses to the recent incidents from Canada and other countries.

The Gaza Strip is a coastal territory along the Mediterranean Sea bordering Egypt to the South West and Israel to the East and North. It is home to approximately 1.5 million people in a total area of just 360 square kilometers, making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Throughout Israel’s existence, the Gaza Strip has remained a controversial issue in the Middle East conflict and has been under the control of various groups in its history.

Starting in 1517, the area was controlled by the Ottoman Empire up until the First World War. In 1917, control of the strip shifted to the British, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine and under the authority of the League of Nations. British rule of the strip ended following the Israeli War of Independence in 1948, when Israel became a sovereign Jewish state. Following Israel’s independence, control of the strip was placed into the hands of the Egyptians. In 1967, during the 6 Day War, Israel invaded the Gaza Strip occupying it for 27 years until 1994 when the Oslo Accords were signed. The signing of the Oslo Accords transferred governmental control of the strip from Israel to the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of Yasser Arafat.
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