By Barry Ellsworth
TRENTON, Canada (AA) – Muslim organizations issued a call Tuesday for Canada to support an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes.
The appeal came in the form of a letter under the umbrella of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“250 Canadian civil society groups and community organizations are issuing a joint open letter to the Prime Minister, asking Canada to back the proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip,” the NCCM said in a post on X.
Five countries – South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti – have asked the court to look into alleged Israeli war crimes. The NCCM and signatory organizations to the letter want Canada to add its voice.
“Canada must support an impartial investigation into possible war crimes committed in Gaza,” the NCCM post said. “Canada must support accountability. It is time to recognize ICJ jurisdiction on this issue.”
Israel has pounded Gaza since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing at least 23,210 Palestinians and injuring 59,167 others, according to local health authorities.
“Thousands upon thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed by the bombardment and invasion by the military of Israel,” the letter to Trudeau states. “This is why you must support the latest case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which holds states accountable according to international law, that looks into the mass violence in Gaza.”
Israel unleashed its military might on Gaza after Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis in the Oct. 7 attack.