View Royal Urges Canada to Push for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire NOW

UPDATE: View Royal has just taken a bold step by urging the Canadian federal government to demand a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following escalating violence in Gaza. During a council meeting on September 2, 2023, the council unanimously approved a motion led by Councillor Gery Lemon, calling for immediate action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The motion emphasizes the pressing need for a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the delivery of essential food and aid to those impacted by the ongoing conflict. “Residents didn’t ask for this motion, but the sadness and sense of helplessness arise in conversations every day,” said Lemon. “I think most Canadians are outraged by what we see taking place in Gaza where no one is safe. It’s a humanitarian catastrophe.”

This urgent appeal comes in response to Israel’s military actions, which intensified after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, predominantly civilians, and around 250 hostages taken. The situation has escalated, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting at least 63,000 Palestinians killed due to Israel’s retaliatory military campaign.

In a recent press conference, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the levels of death and destruction in Gaza as “without parallel in recent times.” Lemon’s motion also calls on the federal government to impose an arms embargo on military equipment being exported from Canada to Israel.

A report from Arms Embargo Now highlighted that shipments, including bullets and military equipment, were exported from Canada to Israel between October 2023 and June 2025. However, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand insisted that Canada has not issued permits for arms exports that could be used in Gaza since January 2024.

“Beyond politics, this is about humanitarianism, about humanity, and we need a global outcry of condemnation,” Lemon stated. “Canada can be influential. Our strength is in our reputation as peacemakers, and if we can join other countries in decrying this, perhaps there will be strength in numbers.”

She also emphasized that if more communities take a stand, it sends a powerful national message supporting a strong international response.

Earlier, on August 26, 2023, Burnaby became the first community in Canada to pass a similar motion, calling for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, setting a precedent for other municipalities.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the call for action from View Royal and other communities across Canada highlights the urgent need for a concerted international effort to address the humanitarian crisis and promote peace in the region.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as officials respond to these pressing calls for action.