"Canadians have been deeply dismayed by the bloodshed and loss of innocent lives -- particularly those of defenceless children -- that we have seen in the past week in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

I have written to both Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, expressing our concern and calling on them to do everything in their power to end the violence and to return to negotiations without delay.

I know from my meetings with them that both leaders share a deep commitment to achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace -- one that will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people. The events of the past week have been a stark reminder of what the alternative is to such a peace. Significant accomplishments have been made over the past year toward that end. I call on the parties to redouble their efforts at this critical moment."