Canada’s Mélanie Joly Urges Ceasefire as Middle East War Intensifies
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s large-scale missile attacks on Israel and subsequent Israeli ground operations in Lebanon, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly declared Tuesday that war has officially broken out in the region. She urged “all parties” to agree to an immediate ceasefire, warning of devastating consequences for civilians if hostilities continue.
Joly condemned Iran’s missile attacks, stating that they would only destabilize the region further. She reiterated Canada’s strong support for Israel while simultaneously calling for restraint to prevent further escalation. “We unequivocally condemn Iran’s actions,” Joly said, emphasizing the importance of halting violence to protect innocent lives.
The minister also issued another urgent plea for Canadians in Lebanon to leave immediately. Despite multiple government advisories, Joly admitted that many Canadians have not heeded the warnings, and some have even chosen to travel to the region against government advice.
Canada Calls for Ceasefire Amid Growing Hostilities
As the situation intensifies, Joly stressed the need for diplomatic solutions. “There is a war going on right now, both in Israel and Lebanon,” she told reporters in Ottawa. “All parties must engage in diplomacy to prevent further civilian casualties.”
Canada joined G7 nations and key Middle Eastern allies in calling for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, yet the violence continues to escalate. Joly said that while Israel has a right to defend itself, a ceasefire is the only way forward to avoid more bloodshed.
“We need to ensure that there is no further escalation,” she stated, “because if this continues, more innocent civilians, including women and children, will die.”
Lebanese-Canadians Ignoring Evacuation Warnings
Despite government-chartered flights from Beirut to Istanbul, Joly acknowledged that the evacuation efforts have not seen significant uptake. “I understand it’s a difficult choice,” she said, “but my priority is your safety. If you’re offered a seat, please take it.”
Immigration Minister Marc Miller echoed Joly’s concerns, revealing that many Lebanese-Canadians are ignoring evacuation advisories. “Some individuals believe they know the risks better than the government’s advice,” Miller noted. “However, that doesn’t diminish our responsibility to help them if the situation worsens.”
As of Tuesday, only 20,000 of an estimated 45,000 Canadians in Lebanon had registered with consular services, and just 4,000 expressed interest in evacuation assistance. Of the 1,700 contacted with flight options, only a third have accepted the government’s offer.
Limited Travel Options Out of Beirut
Travel options out of Lebanon are becoming increasingly limited, as airlines continue to suspend flights. While around 100 commercial flights departed Beirut daily last week, only 50 flights were operational as of Tuesday.
Ottawa has chartered additional flights to Istanbul with capacity for 1,000 passengers over the next few days. Passengers are charged US$330 (CDN$445) for these flights, with a loan program available to assist Canadians returning home.
The Canadian government is also considering broader evacuation options, including sea-based operations. Canada has partnered with Australia to contract a passenger ship to facilitate the evacuation of citizens from Lebanon, although this remains a last resort.
Political Response and Emergency Debate
In response to the crisis, NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson called for an emergency debate in the House of Commons. With a large Lebanese-Canadian community of up to 400,000, McPherson emphasized the need for Canada to take decisive action. She noted that commercial flight cancellations have left many stranded, and at least two Canadians have already been killed in the conflict.
Defence Minister Bill Blair expressed growing concern over the situation, particularly following Israel’s recent incursions into Lebanon. Blair remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts will lead to a ceasefire but warned that Canada is prepared to scale up evacuation plans if necessary.
However, Blair made it clear that Canada would not be sending military assets to the region, stating, “Our focus is on humanitarian aid and the safety of Canadians.”
As the conflict in the Middle East continues to unfold, Joly’s message remains clear: an immediate ceasefire is critical to prevent further loss of life, and Canadians in Lebanon must leave while they still can.
Source: Swifteradio.com