March 29, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds the upcoming Parliamentary fact-finding trip to Palestine, and the participation of almost two dozen MPs. The participating MPs will be departing for Palestine on March 30, and most will remain for a week of scheduled activities. CJPME is optimistic that the trip will open be illuminating for the politicians involved, and that they will gain a greater appreciation of the struggles and suffering of the Palestinian people living under Israeli military occupation.

“For years, pro-Israel groups have feted elected Canadians officials with trips to Israel,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. “Through this trip, these Members of Parliament will finally benefit from a broader perspective on the Palestine-Israel conflict.” The MPs, are scheduled to visit several different cities across the West Bank – including Hebron and Ramallah – where they will meet with a number of governmental and non-governmental representatives, both Israeli and Palestinian.

The trip comes at the initiative of the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Groups (CPPFG) and will involve members of each of the five main federal political parties. The CPPFG was re-established following the 2015 elections and exists to encourage dialogue between Canadian and Palestinian parliamentarians. It also strives to foster policies that facilitate justice, development and a viable future for the Palestinian people, in peaceful co-existence with Israel.

CJPME has long encouraged members of Parliament to visit the West Bank and other Palestinian territories to gain a better perspective of the harsh realities on the ground for Palestinians. CJPME has often faulted Parliamentary committees for failing to seek out experts on the human rights issues that Palestinians face in Israel proper, as well as under Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories. CJPME is thrilled to know that, in addition to meeting with Palestinian human rights groups, the delegation will also meet with officials from B’Tselem and Breaking the Silence, two Israeli NGOs which speaks out boldly for Palestinian human rights.

About CJPME – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is a non-profit and secular organization bringing together men and women of all backgrounds who labour to see justice and peace take root again in the Middle East. Its mission is to empower decision-makers to view all sides with fairness and to promote the equitable and sustainable development of the region.

For more information, please contact Miranda Gallo, 438-380-5410
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East www.cjpme.org

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