There has been much discussion on Canada changing the way it votes (or more to the point abstains) on UN resolutions regarding Israel. Since I commented on this previously here and here I thought I should at least let the Foreign Affairs Minister speak for himself. Here are expcerpts from his column in Saturdays National Post (I assume it also appeared elsewhere):
...Each time I consider a United Nations General Assembly resolution pertaining to the Middle East conflict, I ask myself how it contributes to the overall objective of a just and lasting settlement. I aim to judge each resolution on its merits. In reviewing the long history of the resolutions adopted every year at the General Assembly, I have concluded that some, including some that Canada supported, have contributed neither to strengthening dialogue nor enhancing trust between the parties. The scrutiny of the practices and responsibilities of only one of the parties undermines the likelihood of any implementation effort. The responsibilities of both parties should be emphasized, consistent with their Roadmap obligations, and fair criticism should be applied on both sides when appropriate. For example, references to Israeli security needs are often overlooked in General Assembly resolutions.
In reviewing the long history of the resolutions adopted every year at the
General Assembly, I have concluded that some, including some that Canada supported, have contributed neither to strengthening dialogue nor enhancing trust between the parties. The scrutiny of the practices and responsibilities of only one of the parties undermines the likelihood of any implementation effort. The responsibilities of both parties should be emphasized, consistent with their Roadmap obligations, and fair criticism should be applied on both sides when appropriate. For example, references to Israeli security needs are often overlooked in General Assembly resolutions. It is in light of such considerations that I recently decided that Canada must oppose two particularly unhelpful UN resolutions expressing support for the conclusions of the UN’s Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices, and its Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. I want to stress that these votes do not mean that Canada is somehow opposed to Palestinian rights. Rather, they reflect our growing dissatisfaction with the work of the two UN Committees and the contents of the resolutions dealing with them.
At the same time, I decided to support the General Assembly’s resolution on the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East, which is consistent with the Canadian government’s nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation policy, and our ongoing nonproliferation efforts in the region. These decisions, taken together, reflect Canada’s policy and are a testament to our determination to make UN processes more relevant, fair and useful.
