Concern over Israeli bombing of CIDA funded project
Letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
| 15.01.09January 15, 2009
Honourable Lawrence Cannon, P.C., MP 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Dear Minister Cannon:
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives was shocked to learn today that a health clinic in Gaza City that is co-funded by the Canadian government and KAIROS was completely destroyed January 10, 2009 by an Israeli air attack.
Over the past ten years, KAIROS and CIDA have together provided over $300,000 to the Palestinian partner, the Near East Council of Churches, to run the Shij'ia Family Health Care Centre in Gaza City and other social services. I have visited The Shij’ia Clinic, its jam-packed waiting rooms, and seen the services it provided to approximately 10,000 families in a very poor area of Gaza City. The clinic’s services included tests for malnutrition and anemia, pre and post-natal care, a baby clinic, a pharmacy and a mobile dental clinic.
The building’s owner was contacted by the Israelis 15 minutes prior to the bombing to give warning, which indicates that the bombing was planned. We ask that you contact the Israeli government for an explanation of how a health clinic was targeted as part of their military operations in Gaza.
KAIROS is deeply concerned about the loss of health care for thousands of mothers and children. Given the already dire situation in Gaza, the destruction of the Shij’ia clinic in the midst of a grave humanitarian crisis is a terrible loss.
This also represents a significant loss of Canadian investment by both CIDA and KAIROS. We ask that, as part of your discussions with the Israeli government, you request financial compensation for this loss.
This bombing is just one example of the terrible destruction in Gaza. It underscores the desperate need for an immediate ceasefire. KAIROS wrote to Prime Minister Harper about this on December 29, 2008.
KAIROS hopes that our Canadian government will play an active, constructive role in working with the Palestinians and Israelis for a just and durable peace – one that will ensure justice, including a viable Palestinian state, for the Palestinians, and provide protection for Israelis.
KAIROS will hold you and your important responsibilities in our prayers at this very difficult moment.
Sincerely,
Mary Corkery,
Executive Director
Cc: The Honourable Bev Oda, Minister for International Cooperation
