Canada Should Provide More Protection for Peacekeepers Group Says

Canada has published the findings of its Board of Inquiry (BOI) into the killing of a Canadian peacekeeper by Israel in July, 2006. Now Canada must act upon its findings, and demand more in terms of protections for peacekeepers.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) in a recent press release[pdf] is calling upon the government of Canada to provide more protection for peacekeepers both Canadians and otherwise. The statement was issued in response to the publishing of the findings of its Board of Inquiry (BOI) into the killing of a Canadian peacekeeper by Israel in July, 2006. Now Canada must act upon its findings, and demand more in terms of protections for peacekeepers. The BOI report has reviewed all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Major Paeta Hess-Von Krudener on July 25, 2006, and concluded the Israeli Army was responsible for the “tragic and preventable” attack. “It is unthinkable that Israel would refuse to cooperate in the Canadian inquiry,” asserts Jeff Ayoub of CJPME. “How can Canada be assured that similar incidents will not happen again in the future? Canada and the international community need to understand how a 500 kg. Israeli ‘bunker busting’ bomb can be satellite guided to destroy a UN bunker,” added Ayoub. “Canada has done what it can for the moment,” says Ayoub. “Canada now needs to follow up with its findings, and ensure that Israel and the UN are following through with theoperational recommendations proposed in the report.” CJPME's release reflects the concerns of Hess-Von Krudener’s widow, who has argued the Inquiry must be the “first,” and not the “last” step in the process of searching for the truth. “The safety of all peacekeepers, Canadian and otherwise, is in jeopardy if Canada does not promote respect for the courageous individuals who dedicate their lives to peace in this way,” concludes Ayoub.