Update, June 23, 2022: Canada's Special Envoy Irwin Cotler will not be participating in the conference at Ariel University, according to a statement by the Chief Representative of the Palestinian General Delegation to Canada, who had raised this issue with the government. The circumstances surrounding the event and its cancellation are still not clear, and Canadians deserve a full explanation for how Mr. Cotler was scheduled to speak at this event in the first place, as giving an honorary address in an illegal Israeli settlement is clearly in violation of Canadian policy. CJPME demands an explanation and looks forward to seeing Mr. Cotler's name removed from the conference program. Montreal, June 21, 2022  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is urging Mr. Irwin Cotler, Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, to cancel his upcoming keynote address at Ariel University, which is located in an illegal Israeli settlement on occupied Palestinian land. CJPME notes that the official position of the Canadian government is that all Israeli settlements are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and that having a public official speak to Ariel University would be contrary to that policy. CJPME urges the Canadian government to demand that Special Envoy Cotler respect international law and cancel his address. Continue reading

Montreal, June 15, 2022 - Below is a letter from CJPME to Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Mélanie Joly addressing the recent report by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israel intends to deepen its control over occupied Palestinian territory. Click here to download a PDF of the letter. Continue reading

Montreal, June 15, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling on the Canadian government to demand the release of persecuted Gaza aid worker Mohammed El Halabi, following his outrageous conviction by an Israeli court after six years of detention, on charges which have been discredited. CJPME urges Canada to take immediately action to secure El Halabi’s freedom. Continue reading

Montreal, June 14, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) congratulates the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) for endorsing a series of measures in support of Palestinian human rights, including sanctions on Israel. A resolution adopted by the OFL and published today in a statement on international solidarity calls for an end to Canadian arms sales to Israel, a ban on goods from illegal Israel settlements, and divestment from Israeli military companies. Another resolution adopted by the OFL upholds free speech on Palestine by rejecting the discredited IHRA definition of antisemitism, which equates legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The OFL is Canada’s largest labour federation, representing more than 1,500 locals from 54 affiliated unions. Continue reading

Update June 12, 2022: BADBADNOTGOOD will no longer be playing their July concert in Tel Aviv! The venue claims that the show has been 'postponed' and will be arranged at a later date. CJPME asks BADBADNOTGOOD to respect the cultural boycott of Israel and refrain from re-booking this show in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Below is a letter sent by CJPME to Toronto band BADBADNOTGOOD on June 9, 2022, urging them to cancel their upcoming show in apartheid Israel. Continue reading

Montreal, June 7, 2022 — Israeli practices of occupation and discrimination against Palestinians are the “root causes” of last year’s violence, according to the first report by the United Nation’s Commission of Inquiry on Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The UN inquiry found that although both Israel and Palestinian authorities are responsible for human rights violations, Israel nonetheless holds far greater responsibility due to the asymmetrical nature of the occupation and other mechanisms of oppression. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) urges the Canadian government to publicly welcome the findings of the inquiry and take steps to address the root causes of violence in Palestine. Continue reading

Montreal, May 31, 2022  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is alarmed to learn that Canada’s military exports to Israel increased by 33% in 2021, amid Israel’s 11-day bombing campaign against the occupied Gaza Strip. According to Canada’s newly released annual report on military exports, Canada exported $26,092,288 in military goods to Israel in 2021; up from $19,583,838* in 2020 and approaching the historical high-water mark of $26,893,255* in 1987. This puts Israel in 10th place among Canada’s top twelve non-U.S. destinations for military exports. CJPME calls on Canada to put an immediate halt to this worrying trend by immediately suspending all military trade with Israel. Continue reading

Montreal, May 27, 2022 - Below is a letter from CJPME to Minister of Health Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos addressing Canada's double standard at the World Health Assembly. "Canada should condemn Israeli attacks on health care, just as it would condemn the same behaviour by any other state." Click here to download a PDF of the letter. Continue reading

Montreal, May 20, 2022 - Below is a letter from CJPME to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urging Canada to support an independent, international investigation into Israel's killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Click here to download a PDF of the letter. Continue reading

Montreal, May 19, 2022 — Legislators from Europe and North America issued a joint statement today calling for a coordinated international response to the deteriorating human rights situation facing the Palestinian people, following the publication of reports by Amnesty International and United Nations Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk which concluded that Israel’s practices against the Palestinians amount to “apartheid.”  Continue reading