October 24, 2023
Migrant Workers Centre
Urgent: Support for Immediate Ceasefire and Protection of Migrant Workers Amidst Gaza-Israel Conflict
The Migrant Workers Centre wishes to express our profound concern regarding the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel. We deeply mourn the many civilian lives lost and the ongoing suffering in the face of escalating violence in Israel and Palestine over the past week. We condemn the horrific attack, killing, and hostage-taking of Israeli civilians by Hamas in southern Israel and the ongoing Israeli military siege and killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
We demand the Canadian government call for an immediate cease-fire to prevent any further loss of life. It must also oppose Israel’s illegal restriction of water, electricity, food, and medicine to the more than 2 million people of Gaza and demand a humanitarian corridor be established immediately. Canada must lend its support in finding a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict, which includes calling for the end of the occupation of Palestinian territories.
Israel hosts an estimated 150,000 migrant workers. Migrant workers in Israel are already highly vulnerable due to their legal status and working conditions; the ongoing conflict significantly amplifies these vulnerabilities.
As tensions rise in communities around the world, we must unite against racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, and uphold the right to freedom, self-determination, and safety for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Migrant Workers Centre Board of Directors
Maria Estefany Cano (Chair)
Kishorkumar Ahir (Vice-Chair)
Isabelle Akerhielm (Treasurer)
David Fairey (Secretary)
Vesminda Cara
Dr. Evelyn Encalada Grez
Susanna Quail
Josephine Cruz
