Canada Recalls Diplomats From Israel, West Bank Following Un Vote

[News_Editor]

Canada recalls diplomats from Israel, West Bank following UN vote < br />

2012-11-30 21:22:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

OTTAWA, CANADA (BNO NEWS) — The Canadian Foreign Affairs Ministry on Friday said it will temporarily recall its senior diplomats from Israel and the West Bank to assess the implications of Thursday's UN General Assembly vote to grant Palestinians non-member observer state status.

"Canada is deeply disappointed but not surprised by yesterday's result at the United Nations General Assembly," said Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. "Our government's position is clear: the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace is through negotiations, not unilateral actions."

Baird said Canadian heads of missions in Israel and the West Bank city of Ramallah, as well as Canada's permanent representatives to the UN in New York and Geneva, will be temporarily recalled to Ottawa to assess the implications from the vote and to consider Canada's response.

"Canada will now review the full range of its bilateral relationship with the Palestinian Authority," he said. "Yesterday's unilateral action does nothing to further the Middle East peace process. It will not change the reality on the streets of the West Bank or Gaza. This unilateral step is an impediment to peace."

The Foreign Affairs Minister also called on Palestine and Israel to return to negotiations. "We again call on the Palestinian Authority and Israel to return to negotiations without preconditions, for the good of their people," he said.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-11-30

[johna]

Will Canada be withdrawing diplomats from the 138 countries which voted for Palestine?

[geriatrickid]

Will Canada be withdrawing diplomats from the 138 countries which voted for Palestine?

Do you have a problem with a country consulting with its foreign diplomats?

"I want to get a sense from the diplomats what they see on the ground, how they see things going, and how we can effectively respond to what could be a new reality," Foreign Minister Baird told CBC News in an interview from New York on Friday.

You do realize that the ambassador is being called back from Israel too, don't you?

[Steely Dan]

Canada is one of the few Countries left standing to have the courage of it's convictions. Perhaps the fact that one putative member state refuses to recognize it's neighbors right to exist and intends to forbid Jews from living in any future Palestinian state (Christians are fast disappearing too) was part of Canada's concern. Perhaps also the fact that the Palestinian authority (sic) came into being as part of the Oslo accords, which specifically banned any unilateral moves effecting status whilst negotiating a two state solution was also a consideration.

I hope Canada decides to save herself some money by cutting all aid to the illegitimate terror statelet called Palestine.

[Morch]

I hope Canada decides to save herself some money by cutting all aid to the illegitimate terror statelet called Palestine.

That would be unfortunate and extremely risky.

The PA is on the brink of economic collapse as it is, making things worse will either usher in more radical elements, or make them turn to the rich boys in the hood for money - which is pretty much the same things, no matter who's the sugar daddy.

[Samuimike1]

Congratulation Palestine on your upgrade to UN status

[Steely Dan]

I hope Canada decides to save herself some money by cutting all aid to the illegitimate terror statelet called Palestine.

That would be unfortunate and extremely risky.

The PA is on the brink of economic collapse as it is, making things worse will either usher in more radical elements, or make them turn to the rich boys in the hood for money - which is pretty much the same things, no matter who's the sugar daddy.

I can't speak for Ramallah, but have seen the parking lots full of brand new cars that have found their way into Gaza city along with the money to build five star hotels. Imho it is naive to the point of delusion to believe western money can buy favour in the middle east as shown by asking who benefits from the world's largest per capita aid sum and exactly what productive use is it put to.

Edited December 1, 2012 by Steely Dan

[tmd5855]

An organisation that wants the end, destruction/elimination of a country who the world, already allowed 6million of its people to be murdered/killed?

An organisation that constantly states the Holacaust is a myth.

An organisation that got 90% of what they wished under the Oslo accords, the remainder would be delivered if same organisation delivered their side of the accords, but on arrival back Arafat started the Infinadta, which prompted the saying??

"Yasser never misses an opportunity, to miss an opportunity"

An organisation (along with Hamas) that refuses a right to exist.

An organisation that does not follow democratic means... which is why the people of Gaza sided with Hamas.

I could go on but will be shot down as a Jew lover..............

[Morch]

I hope Canada decides to save herself some money by cutting all aid to the illegitimate terror statelet called Palestine.

That would be unfortunate and extremely risky.

The PA is on the brink of economic collapse as it is, making things worse will either usher in more radical elements, or make them turn to the rich boys in the hood for money - which is pretty much the same things, no matter who's the sugar daddy.

I can't speak for Ramallah, but have seen the parking lots full of brand new cars that have found their way into Gaza city along with the money to build five star hotels. Imho it is naive to the point of delusion to believe western money can buy favour in the middle east as shown by asking who benefits from the world's largest per capita aid sum and exactly what productive use is it put to.

Well, the Hamas gets funded exactly by the sort of sources that are not positive news for peace. Having the same sources bankroll the PA as well, would be saying goodbye to the last bit of chance an agreement will be reached.

Not quite see how spending money does not result in clout - take Egypt's and the PA's actions during the recent hostilities in Gaza,

It doesn't give complete control, no, but it does make the recipients pay attention, at least to some degree. Rather doubt Clinton could have pressed Morsi playing ball under different conditions. Hard to comment on the chart provided as there's no link to the source - could be referring to all of the Palestinians (West Bank and refugees in the Arab world), -probably not to the people of Gaza. Point is that the PA, while not playing nice, is at least playing civil (as opposed to Hamas), and some of this approach could be chalked up for the aid it receives.

Gazans as a rule are poor, rather doubt they all drive around in brand new cars. Not exactly sure where, or when you refer to, would imagine such car parks would be choice targets for the IFA... As for 5 stars hotels: why would they need or want any? Not like they get a whole lot of tourists, and quite a bit of infrastructure (regardless of Israel's attacks) to deal with before getting to luxuries.

Note that the Israeli government made what is basically a hollow move - no housing will actually appear out of nowhere, and things could always be reconsidered after the elections. They could have easily done much worse by economic means (withholding fund transfers and stopping certain basic services etc.) - but that would entail immediate issues to deal with, plus not as sexy for their voters.

[Samuimike1]

In responce to UN vote: Israel bild 3000 new homes in settlements

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/in-response-to-un-vote-israel-to-build-3-000-new-homes-in-settlements.premium-1.481695

[mania]

I can't speak for Ramallah......

That Elder Of Ziyon site you got the graph from is.....

interesting in a scary kind of way. Their "Elder Toons" section especially so.

[thewug]

Congrats to Palestine... Im sorry that my country did not support your acheivment at the UN... But you will have many supporters in Canada... Just remember that violence is not the answer for either side...

[Scott]

A lot of off-topic posts have been deleted. Might want to read the OP. Stay on topic.

[Scott]

It appears that it is simply not possible for posters to stay on topic when the issue of Israel/Palestine are in the topic.

//Closed//