Canada urged to help Mideast peace talks
Has influence on Israel, says Maliki
Canada has a “responsibility” to use its close friendship with Israel and urge the Jewish state to stop “provocative” actions that endanger nascent Middle East peace talks, the Palestinian foreign minister says.
In an interview with Postmedia News Friday, Riyad alMaliki praised what he believes is a marked change in the federal Conservative approach to the Palestinians after years of mistrust and strained relations.
And he said the feeling is mutual and that Palestinians welcome the chance to open a new chapter when it comes to ties between the two sides.
Maliki acknowledged Canada’s vocal opposition to the Palestinians’ effort last year to upgrade its status at the United Nations as well as Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s visit to East Jerusalem earlier this year were hugely disappointing to his people.
And he admitted he didn’t know what kind of welcome he would receive when he decided to visit Ottawa for two days of meetings with Baird and other officials this week.
But Maliki says he is confident the Conservative government is genuine in its desire to turn the page on that troubled past and do whatever it can to help bring an end to a Middle East conflict that has dragged on much too long.
Which is why he’s hoping Canada will use its influence with Israel when it comes to curbing Israel’s construction of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, its demolition of Palestinian homes in those regions, and recent military actions around al-Aqsa mosque.
Each has prompted outrage from Palestinians, who say the actions threaten the chances of successfully reaching a peace settlement.
“We know the good offices that Canada has with Israel could be used for raising these issues,” Maliki said.
Maliki was in Ottawa for two days of meetings with federal officials this week, including what he indicated was a warm meeting with Baird.
The meetings took place in the context of peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians which were relaunched last month after a five-year hiatus marked by frustration, anger and conflict on both sides.
Maliki said he had “mixed feelings” about making his first trip to Ottawa given the Conservative government’s strong opposition to the Palestinians’ bid for non-member state status at the UN this past November.
Not only was Canada one of only a handful of countries to vote against the resolution, but it actively lobbied other countries to vote against it as well.
There was also concern about Baird’s meeting with Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni in April in East Jerusalem, which Canada and much of the rest of the world considers occupied territory belonging to the Palestinians.