Today we mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Israel's genocide in Gaza and annexation in the West Bank are aimed at destroying the Palestinian people, and Canada is nowhere to be found. But finally, decisions this year by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) offer a glimmer of hope that Israeli leaders could be held accountable. But it is up to all of us to push to make this a reality. See CJPME's statement on the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People" below.
Canadians ceaselessly continue to push their government to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people. We invite you to join events (see below) going on in your area. If you are organizing an upcoming event or demonstration, please consider submitting it on our events submission form so we can include it in future email announcements.
Prior to the list of events/protests (below), we highlight a number of key statements, campaigns, and a podcast episode from this week.
CJPME Statement on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) considers the Trudeau government to have been completely negligent in terms of supporting the lives, livelihoods, and rights of the Palestinian people. CJPME has long urged the Canadian government to take immediate action to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza and annexation in the West Bank, which are aimed at destroying the Palestinian people. CJPME calls on Prime Minister Trudeau to give his full support to international efforts to hold Israel accountable, including through the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and to impose a suite of sanctions aimed at bringing an immediate end to Israel’s criminal acts.
“Not since 1948 has the future of Palestine been more in doubt,” said Thomas Woodley, president of CJPME. “The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is under attack from all sides, while Israeli ministers are openly discuss the complete erasure of the Palestinian people. Now is the time for Canada to take an honest stance in support of international law, defend the lives and rights of the Palestinian people, and to stop prioritizing its diplomatic and economic relationship with a genocidal state,” added Woodley...
Click here to read the full statement online.
Tell Trudeau: Support the ICC, Arrest Netanyahu!
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has finally issued a warrant for the arrest of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for crimes against humanity. As a signatory to the Rome Statute, Canada is legally obliged to support the court’s rulings and arrest Netanyahu if he comes to Canada, but pro-Israel groups are now pressuring Trudeau to oppose the ICC ruling. It’s up to us to pressure Trudeau not to back down! Click here to send an email to Prime Minister Trudeau, other federal leaders and your local MP. Canada must cooperate with the ICC in bringing Netanyahu to trial at the Hague!
Help us fix the Gaza Visa Program: Use our automated tool to call your MP!
Canada has completely failed to reunite families facing genocide in Gaza. Many of you have emailed politicians, but now we are asking you to phone them and urge them to take decisive action for immediate family reunification! Click here to use our NEW CALL TOOL to get connected via phone to your local MP and ministers and have talking points on screen that you can explain to them!
Palestine Debrief discusses alternative reporting on Gaza
On this week's episode of the Palestine Debrief podcast, host Wissam El Cheikh Hassan speaks to Jon Elmer, a Canadian journalist who has lived in and reported extensively from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to provide alternative views on reporting in Gaza and Lebanon that are not usually found in mainstream media. It was recorded prior to the ceasefire in Lebanon. You can find the podcast here, or listen on all major streaming platforms.
Tell Parliament: Recognize Palestinian statehood now!
With Parliament debating the recognition of Palestinian statehood, now is the time to make our voices heard. Over 146 countries have already recognized Palestine, with Spain, Ireland and Norway joining the chorus just recently. If Canada says it supports Palestinian self-determination, it should delay no longer, and recognize Palestine immediately! Click here to send an email to Prime Minister Trudeau, your MP, and the committee members studying this issue.
Demonstrations and events across Canada
Join thousands of Canadians across the country to protest Israel's genocidal violence and Canada's complicity. Please note that many different organizations are hosting these events, and CJPME lists those it is aware of. Any questions should be directed towards the event organizers. If you have events you would like to have listed, please submit them on our events submission form. The listing of events below is not an endorsement.
- Antigonish, NS, “Bi-Weekly Rally: every other Saturday”
- Calgary, AB, “March for Palestine”
- Charlottetown, PEI, “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People”
- Coquitlam, BC, “One Year of Rallies in the Tri-Cities”
- Corner Brook, NL, “Rally for Palestinian Solidarity”
- Edmonton, AB, “Human lives over political games:March”
- Edmonton, AB, “Die-in for Gaza”
- Kitchener, ON, “Walk with Grief; Silent Vigil for Gaza”
- London, ON, “Where Olive Trees Weep”
- London, ON, “Power in Unity, Boycott: Human Chain”
- Mississauga, ON, “Fundraiser event for families in Tulkarm”
- Montreal, QC, “Manteada pour Le Levant”
- Montreal, QC, “Palestine 101: atelier formatif”
- Montreal, QC, “International day for Solidarity with the Palestinian People; Montreal Protest”
- Montreal, QC, “The more they try to silence us, the louder we will be”
- New Westminster, BC, “Film and Fundraiser for Palestine”
- North Bay, ON, “Learn More about BDS Movement”
- Ottawa, ON, “Challenging Canadian Complicity in Israeli Apartheid”
- Peterborough, ON, “ Voices for Palestine”
- Québec, QC, “Une Soirée pour Gaza”
- Sarnia, ON, “Who Are We as Human Beings?”
- Saint John’s, NL, “For Palestine, For Lebanon, For Liberation March”
- Saskatoon, SK, “Enough is Enough”
- Saskatoon, SK, “Palestinian Cultural Night”
- Thunder Bay, ON, “A conversation on Palestine and Lebanon”
- Toronto, ON, “The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People”
- Vancouver, BC, “Van Bike for Palestine”
- Vancouver, BC, “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People”
- Victoria, BC, “A Global Call for Solidarity with Innocent Palestinians”
- Waterloo, ON, “An Evening of Unity and Dialogue”
- Windsor, ON, “Let's Talk about Palestine”
- Windsor, ON, “The Peoples Flag Raising”
- Windsor, ON, “The Olive Branch Collective Book club”
- Winnipeg, MB, “All out for Palestine - Winnipeg Protest”
Can you support our work?
CJPME's impact is only possible through the generosity of donors. If you believe in what CJPME is doing to influence the media, the politicians and the public, please consider making a gift of financial support to CJPME. Our work depends entirely on private donations. Monthly donations are especially helpful, as they sustain our ongoing work and make it easier for us to strategize for the future. If you don't like to donate by credit card, you may donate via email transfer, over the phone (438-380-5410), or complete and mail in this form.