Montreal, September 30, 2021 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is extremely concerned about a pattern of anti-Palestinian racism in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) after a series of instances in which the board has reprimanded or disavowed voices who spoke about Palestinian human rights. Most recently, the board apologized for causing “harm” after journalist and activist Desmond Cole spoke about Palestinian rights during an event about anti-Black racism. CJPME is also deeply troubled that TDSB intends to hire a pro-Israel lobby group - with a history of trying to silence academic critics of Israel - to design classroom resources on “anti-Palestinian and anti-Israel sentiments.”

Earlier this week during Parliament’s Question Period, the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh raised the issue of Israel’s expulsion of Palestinians from Jerusalem, and Israel’s harassment of Ramadan worshippers at the Al Aqsa Mosque. He then asked whether Canada would stop arms sales to Israel. Since the government ignored the essence of his question, and so far has refused to directly condemn Israel, the NDP must demand an emergency Parliamentary debate on Jerusalem, insisting on a reset of Canada’s policy on Israel-Palestine. Click here to urge NDP MPs to stand up for Jerusalem.

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. 223, published June 2021: Mass evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan