Montreal, September 8, 2021  — This week, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) issued its “Vote 2021 Elections Guide,” evaluating the record and promises of the five largest federal parties on Palestine-Israel and other Middle East issues. The guide evaluates the parties on ten different Middle East issues according to a number of different criteria, including 1) their support for international law; 2) their consistent application of international law; 3) their eschewal of armed violence; 4) their humanitarian concern; 5) their support for representative governance; and 6) their sense of urgency in responding to crises. Continue reading

Montreal, August 18, 2021: Today, a partnership of Canadian advocacy groups launched Vote Palestine: a campaign and online resource to put issues of human rights in Palestine-Israel on the agenda for the federal election. Central to the campaign is a joint platform of shared demands that civil society groups hope to see candidates take on. With these tools, Vote Palestine intends to challenge candidates to make clear commitments on foreign policy that could bring about real change for the better in the region.   Continue reading

Montreal, July 26, 2021  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling for a major shift in Canadian policy vis-a-vis Israel and Palestine to de-emphasize the goal of a “two-state solution,” noting that the longstanding position of the Canadian government may no longer be possible nor desirable. In a new policy document, CJPME argues that the emphasis on a two-state solution has become an obstacle to peace, and that Canadian officials need to be open to possible alternatives that would uphold equal rights and freedoms, including a “one-state solution,” or a single democratic state with equal rights. Regardless of the preferred political arrangement, CJPME argues that sanctions against Israel are required to advance Palestinian self-determination. Continue reading

On July 21, 2021, CJPME co-signed a letter to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, demanding editorial and policy changes to improve CBC's coverage of Palestine. The letter was written with CBC Palestine (a collective of independent organizers) and the Coalition of Canadian Palestinian Organizations, and endorsed by 66 civil society groups, including CUPE Ontario, the Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers), and Independent Jewish Voices Canada. Continue reading

Montreal, July 6, 2021  — As Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau’s trip to the Middle East comes to a close, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling the initiative a failure due to the Minister’s refusal to hold Israeli officials accountable for egregious human rights violations. “Canadians were shocked to see Minister Garneau take a ‘business-as-usual’ approach to a government led by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, a far-right racist and war criminal who has boasted about killing Arabs and supports perpetual apartheid,” Michael Bueckert, Vice President of CJPME. “Any Canadians looking for indications that their government was prepared to take action to protect the rights of Palestinians will be deeply disappointed” added Bueckert. Continue reading

Montreal, June 30, 2021  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is urging Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau to use his trip to the Middle East this week to press Israel on the impending mass expulsions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. Garneau will be visiting Israel and the occupied West Bank within the next few days to “advance Canada’s support towards the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region and a 2-state solution.” CJPME notes that Garneau’s visit will take place as 175 Palestinian families in the occupied East Jerusalem neighbourhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan are under threat of being expelled from their homes to be replaced with Israeli settlers. Continue reading

Montreal, June 22, 2021 — Today, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) joins dozens of organizations from around the world in denouncing the Algerian government’s alarming crackdown on dissent, and violations of human rights.  In 2019, Algeria saw significant civil unrest, with massive numbers of citizens taking peacefully to the streets. The 2019 protests called for dramatic political reforms and a reshaping of the entire governing system, but were met with stiff government violence and repression. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, protests resumed in February, 2021, and the Algerian government has again responded brutally.  Continue reading

Montreal, June 18, 2021 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) congratulates the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) for resolving to campaign for Palestinian human rights and endorsing the use of sanctions and divestment against Israel. An emergency motion adopted by the CLC’s Canadian Council commits to support a ban on settlement goods, promoting divestment from Israeli military and security companies, and calling on Canada halt arms sales to Israel, among other measures. The CLC represents more than three million workers in Canada. Continue reading

Montreal, June 13, 2021 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is urging the Canadian government to take immediate action to guarantee the rights and safety of Palestinians following the nomination of Israel’s new far-right Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. CJPME warns that Bennett has a long history of violently racist statements and actions against Palestinians, and therefore poses a grave threat to the millions of Palestinians who live under Israel’s military rule. Continue reading

Montreal, June 11, 2021  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) opposes Quebec's unilateral adoption of the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism, which conflates antisemitism with criticism of Israel and therefore poses a threat to free speech on issues related to Israel's human rights abuses. On June 9, the Quebec government announced that it was unilaterally adopting IHRA. This decision was taken without public input or debate, just days after a motion in the National Assembly to endorse IHRA was blocked by Québec solidaire. Continue reading