A significant shift in the international stance towards Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank was evident Monday, as Canada, the United Kingdom, and France jointly issued a grave warning. The three nations, historically allies of Israel, expressed profound condemnation of the escalating military offensive and restrictions on humanitarian aid, signaling a readiness for “concrete actions,” including sanctions.
Their collective statement highlighted the “intolerable” level of human suffering in Gaza, calling the recently permitted “basic quantity” of food “wholly inadequate.” The leaders articulated a clear red line: “If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
Despite acknowledging Israel’s inherent right to self-defense following the October 7, 2023, attack, the statement characterized the current military escalation as “disproportionate.” This comes amidst Israeli announcements of deepened operations in Gaza, notably the evacuation of Khan Younis, and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stated ambition to “take control of all of Gaza” and pursue “voluntary emigration” for Palestinians—a proposition strongly rejected by the Palestinian leadership.
Furthermore, the joint declaration sharply criticized “any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank,” affirming their illegality and detrimental impact on the two-state solution. The warning of “targeted sanctions” underscores the growing international pressure on Israel regarding these activities. The calls for increased aid and independent humanitarian access were reinforced by a broader joint statement from numerous foreign ministers, underscoring the urgent need to avert famine in the besieged territory.