Montreal, February 23, 2021 — Like many Canadians, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is deeply alarmed by Israel’s actions which impede the ability of Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip to access COVID-19 vaccines. Last week, when the Palestinian Authority tried to send its first shipment of vaccines (2,000 Sputnik V doses) for medical staff in Gaza, Israel blocked its entry for days. Meanwhile, Israeli politicians debated leveraging the shipment in return for extracting political concessions. CJPME urges the Canadian government to demand an immediate end to Israel’s illegal blockading of vaccines, and demand a promise from Israel that it will no longer endanger the lives of Palestinians by playing “vaccine politics.”

Canada’s Transportation Ministry recently approved a $36.16 million dollar contract for drone technology from Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons company. The money will purchase a “civilian” version of Elbit’s lethal military drone, the same one which was used to kill civilians during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2014. Through this purchase, Canada directly supports the profits of a weapons company responsible for ongoing human rights violations against Palestinians. Click-here to tell Minister Alghabra to cancel the contract! 

Open Letter on Islamophobia to Canada and Quebec’s Political and Civil Leaders, from the Canadian Muslim Forum and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. January 27, 2021. In a few days, Canadians will mark the fourth anniversary of the tragic Quebec City mosque massacre.  On January 29, 2017, a young man influenced by online hatred and racism entered the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City and opened fire on Muslim-Canadian worshippers.  When he was done, six Canadians were dead, and 19 more injured. 

CJPME Factsheet No. 220, published September, 2020: This factsheet provides an overview of the UAE-Israel normalization agreement. Is this really a "peace deal," and is Canada right to welcome it ?