Western Standard - October 17, 2023


PM Trudeau Canadian response to the Israel–Hamas conflict


Episode Stats

Length

12 minutes

Words per Minute

116.19121

Word Count

1,507

Sentence Count

110

Hate Speech Sentences

8


Summary

Learn English with Justin Trudeau. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers an update on the situation in Gaza and calls on Hamas to release all of their Canadian hostages. He also calls on the international community to do whatever it takes to help get Canadian hostages out of the region.


Transcript

00:00:00.000 Over a week ago, Canadians awoke to horrifying images coming out of Israel after the terrorist organization Hamas launched an attack of unspeakable brutality.
00:00:15.240 I want to provide an update on the measures our government is taking to help and protect Canadians affected.
00:00:22.120 I also want to share the real concerns that the situation is causing amongst our people in this country.
00:00:30.000 Among Jewish and Muslim Canadians, Canadians of Arabic origins, and all Canadians.
00:00:39.140 Mr. Speaker, among the thousands of people affected by this violence, five Canadians were murdered by Hamas terrorists.
00:00:49.660 Three Canadians are reported missing and may be hostages.
00:00:54.240 I know that all parliamentarians and Canadians' thoughts are with them and their loved ones.
00:01:01.500 Canada asks Hamas to free all the hostages immediately.
00:01:08.640 Canadian Armed Forces flights have departed Tel Aviv so far with approximately 1,300 passengers on board.
00:01:18.220 In addition, the first bus has departed the West Bank and brought Canadians to safety in Jordan.
00:01:24.640 The Minister of Global Affairs and our ambassadors in the region are working tirelessly in order to help them.
00:01:37.060 They're working tirelessly to come into contact with the Canadians that are affected and to help them.
00:01:42.460 We're working with our partners to help Gaza leave the Gaza Strip and Israel the safest way possible, as well as the fastest way possible.
00:01:53.280 I'm deeply concerned by the dire and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
00:02:01.080 Canada is calling for unimpeded humanitarian access and a humanitarian corridor,
00:02:08.100 so that essential aid like food, fuel and water can be delivered to civilians in Gaza.
00:02:15.100 It is imperative that this happen.
00:02:17.900 Since last weekend, I have communicated with leaders in the region, such as the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu,
00:02:30.640 the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, King Abdullah of Jordan,
00:02:36.040 the President of the United Arab Emirates, and the President of Egypt, and the Emir of Qatar.
00:02:43.680 I discussed freeing Canadian hostages and all hostages of providing humanitarian assistance
00:02:51.820 and providing assistance to Canadians so that they are brought to safety,
00:02:57.120 as well as for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
00:03:01.220 Minister Jolie was on the ground.
00:03:04.480 She's directing our diplomatic efforts, working day and night,
00:03:09.320 meeting Israelis, Palestinians, and other partners in the region.
00:03:14.180 Minister Jolie is working tirelessly to ensure that CAF evacuation flights
00:03:18.920 are getting as many Canadians out of the region as possible.
00:03:23.120 And Minister Hussain is leading conversations with his international counterparts with...
00:03:28.180 I apologize to interrupt the Right Honourable Prime Minister,
00:03:32.820 but of course to remember that we are to refer to members by their titles.
00:03:36.540 Either titles, positions that they hold, or as members of Parliament, but not by their names.
00:03:46.040 My apologies, Mr. Speaker.
00:03:48.140 The Minister of National Defence is working tirelessly to ensure that CAF evacuation flights
00:03:53.620 are getting as many Canadians out of the region as possible.
00:03:56.700 And the Minister of International Development is leading conversations
00:04:00.040 with his international counterparts and with aid organizations,
00:04:03.560 making sure essential support is getting to affected people.
00:04:08.560 Canada has committed an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance
00:04:13.180 to provide essentials like food, water, emergency medical aid, and protection assistance
00:04:19.260 to those affected by the crisis in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel.
00:04:25.000 And I want to be clear.
00:04:26.700 None of this aid is going to Hamas.
00:04:29.360 Hamas is a terrorist organization that slaughtered and brutalized innocent people.
00:04:36.400 Hamas continues to commit unspeakable atrocities
00:04:39.880 and are trying to instigate further acts of violence against Jewish people.
00:04:46.300 Let me be clear about Hamas.
00:04:49.520 They are not freedom fighters.
00:04:51.720 They are not a resistance.
00:04:54.300 They are terrorists.
00:04:55.760 Terrorism is always indefensible.
00:05:00.180 And nothing can justify Hamas' acts of terror
00:05:04.320 and the killing, maiming, and abduction of civilians.
00:05:09.920 But let me also be extremely clear
00:05:14.840 that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people
00:05:19.780 nor their legitimate aspirations.
00:05:23.860 They do not speak for Muslim or Arab communities.
00:05:30.140 And they do not represent the better future
00:05:33.660 that Palestinians and their children deserve.
00:05:36.880 The only thing they stand for is more suffering
00:05:41.620 for Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
00:05:46.200 Canada fully supports Israel's right to defend itself
00:05:50.680 in accordance with international law.
00:05:54.020 And in Gaza, as elsewhere,
00:05:56.800 international law, including humanitarian law,
00:06:00.140 must be upheld by all.
00:06:02.400 Even wars have rules.
00:06:06.460 Canada is always steadfast
00:06:10.080 in our commitment to the rule of law.
00:06:12.500 The rule of law is what we stand up for here in Parliament,
00:06:15.800 what we advocate through diplomacy,
00:06:18.300 and what we will always fight for,
00:06:20.660 no matter the circumstance.
00:06:22.380 Here in our country,
00:06:29.240 emotions are running extremely high.
00:06:32.340 It can be explained in part by the fact
00:06:34.540 that many of these stories are Canadian stories.
00:06:39.940 That's due to our diversity.
00:06:43.440 Many of us know someone who's been affected,
00:06:46.140 or we know someone who knows someone.
00:06:48.460 I met members of the Jewish community
00:06:51.900 grieving in the aftermath of this tragedy.
00:06:56.680 I was told about young people
00:06:58.920 who were shot down during a music festival.
00:07:02.280 The murder and kidnapping
00:07:03.980 of older people, of women, of children.
00:07:09.400 Members of the Jewish community
00:07:10.500 talked to us about friends who died too soon
00:07:14.100 and their fears of seeing their loved ones taken hostage.
00:07:17.580 They told me about how families in Gaza
00:07:23.540 are spreading themselves between homes
00:07:25.980 to prevent the possibility
00:07:27.780 that they could all be lost in a single moment.
00:07:31.680 That from Canada,
00:07:33.420 they worry desperately about their loved ones,
00:07:36.060 but because electricity has been cut off,
00:07:39.300 they have to rely on sporadic 15-second phone calls
00:07:43.060 to know who is safe.
00:07:44.440 Their worries aren't just for people overseas.
00:07:48.980 The worries are about people here at home, too.
00:07:52.460 Across our country, both Jewish parents
00:07:54.960 and Muslim parents wonder whether their kids
00:07:58.360 are safe at school.
00:08:00.500 Families are worried about going to places of worship.
00:08:04.580 Jewish people are wondering if they shouldn't wear
00:08:06.960 their Star of David or Kippah in public.
00:08:09.240 Muslim and Arab people are worried about being thought of
00:08:13.120 as terrorists once again.
00:08:15.040 The list of worries is endless.
00:08:20.140 And the fear is real.
00:08:24.160 There are rising instances of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
00:08:30.120 We saw the reports of hate crimes
00:08:33.020 against a Muslim woman in Montreal
00:08:35.320 and at a Hebrew school in Toronto.
00:08:39.120 And all of our hearts break at the horrifying news
00:08:43.000 that came out of Illinois yesterday.
00:08:46.580 There are so many people in Canada
00:08:48.500 who are afraid of the escalating tension here at home.
00:08:54.600 Who are scared as they watch horrible things happen to people
00:08:58.060 in places that they love in the Middle East.
00:09:00.980 Who, for years, have lived somewhere between fear and hope.
00:09:06.800 Fear that escalation will tear them further apart
00:09:09.800 and hope that one day peace could finally take root.
00:09:14.500 Never forget that diversity is our strength.
00:09:24.520 Canada welcomes people from all horizons
00:09:28.260 who have a plethora of identities.
00:09:32.560 We are a country of neighbours, of colleagues, of friends, of family.
00:09:37.640 We represent that diversity and we live it every day.
00:09:40.760 Now, more than ever, we have to unite.
00:09:47.100 We have to avoid letting worries and suspicion separate us.
00:09:53.280 It's a short path from mistrusting your neighbour
00:09:56.800 to entrenching division.
00:10:00.300 A peaceful society does not happen by accident
00:10:04.040 and won't continue without effort.
00:10:06.720 We live in a country that upholds the freedom of expression,
00:10:11.440 including religious and cultural expression,
00:10:14.400 and every Canadian should feel safe doing so.
00:10:18.620 This is the right and freedom every Canadian has under our Charter.
00:10:24.320 Canadian liberty is not about taking away the freedoms of others,
00:10:28.780 but living in a way that expands and strengthens freedom for everyone.
00:10:34.120 Mr. Speaker, as Canadians,
00:10:40.640 we've proven that it's possible to build and define a country
00:10:44.940 based on, anchored in, common values.
00:10:51.320 Canada is not defined by one single identity,
00:10:56.800 whether it be historical or ethnic or religious or anything else,
00:11:00.280 but through shared values.
00:11:02.100 We are once again at a moment where our shared values
00:11:07.040 are being put to the test.
00:11:10.620 Unrest is being felt in ways big and small.
00:11:15.200 Canadians are deeply worried, no matter their background.
00:11:19.860 This is why we must hold on to our commitment
00:11:24.780 to the idea of this country.
00:11:29.120 We've been tested before about who we are and what we are.
00:11:34.920 But the core values of Canada have always been there to guide us,
00:11:39.280 to make us stronger,
00:11:41.300 to bring us together when forces or events try to divide us.
00:11:46.500 Our diversity is our strength.
00:11:49.440 We can never forget this.
00:11:51.440 This is a time to reach out,
00:11:53.840 to support one another.
00:11:55.840 Ask a friend, a family member, or a colleague how they're doing.
00:12:00.600 Reach out to members of a different faith.
00:12:02.440 Offer to listen.
00:12:04.440 Offer to help where you can.
00:12:07.020 People are not all right, so let's make sure they're not alone.
00:12:17.540 As I've said before,
00:12:19.260 the Canadian idea of liberty is an inclusive freedom,
00:12:24.300 expansive freedom.
00:12:26.200 Let's remember who we are as Canadians
00:12:29.380 and what we stand for, here and around the world.
00:12:34.040 Respect for everyone's rights and freedoms and the rule of law.
00:12:39.640 Respect for different languages, ethnicities and religions.
00:12:44.600 Respect for human life.
00:12:48.180 Respect for each other.
00:12:51.440 Thank you.
00:12:56.200 Thank you.