Several Squamish councillors have added their names to a letter urging the federal government to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that has killed thousands of Palestinians and Israelis.
Councillors John French, Lauren Greenlaw and Chris Pettingill are three of about 80 municipal elected officials in B.C. who have signed the letter. The letter asks the Canadian government to “call for a ceasefire, support unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, [and] secure the release of all hostages.”
“We are ashamed at Canada’s abstention at the United Nations General Assembly on a resolution calling for ‘an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.’ Canada should be a leader on the world stage, but instead, sat on the sidelines,” reads the letter.
“As local government elected officials, we are united in our call for Canada to join the growing national and international community and demand for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, and a just peace for all.”
All three councillors confirmed in emails to The Squamish Chief that they signed the letter, which came about shortly after the City of Burnaby unanimously passed a motion to write a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with similar requests.
“What motivated me to put my name to the letter was the volume of letters coming to council members requesting us to take action regarding the situation in Gaza. I sought out the letter. After reviewing the wording I concluded it aligned with my feelings and values regarding war. I wish for peace in the Middle East and I believe the only way to achieve that is through diplomacy,” wrote French.
Pettingill said it was hard to sum up his thoughts given the complexity of the situation, but noted he would certainly have deeper conversations with those who may be interested.
“I believe that we shouldn’t accept the killing of civilians (especially children) for any reason. Our ability to stand against hate, ‘isms’, and phobias, is strongest when we stand against all of these. The letter speaks to the need for the return of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire to protect Palestinian civilians and children, and both are necessary,” he wrote.
“While Canada has many challenges of its own to work through, our voice on the international stage still matters and we should use it. As a local leader, it’s important for me to support the efforts of folks from all sorts of backgrounds here working towards inclusion, reconciliation, and equity here in Squamish. I can help with that by not staying silent while people of any background are being harmed.”
Greenlaw said violence was rarely the best option in her eyes.
“In my experience, violence is almost never the best option,” she wrote. “After centuries of violence in this region, it’s clear that the issues are not going to be solved by an escalation in violence. At some point, as a species, we have to learn to accept each other and coexist.”
On Friday, Nov. 24, The Canadian Press reported that a four-day ceasefire began with an exchange of hostages to follow. The Canadian Press reported the truce continued to a fifth day on Tuesday, Nov. 28, and is expected to continue through Wednesday, Nov. 29 with more hostages to be released.
Other nearby communities that have had at least one locally elected official sign the letter include Whistler, North Vancouver and Vancouver.
