Montreal, March 31, 2016  — It has been over five weeks since the majority Liberal government of Justin Trudeau committed itself to condemning all Canadian groups and individuals who promote the boycott of Israel (i.e. BDS)[i] in Canada.  Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) points out that, despite the lip service that Liberal leaders gave in support of the motion at the time, government leaders have not yet condemned a single Canadian group or individual for BDS.  CJPME leaders conclude that this is either because: 1) the Liberal government is not convinced of the merits of the motion, or 2) the Liberal government is concerned that the motion contradictsCanada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Continue reading

Montreal, March 10, 2016  — Following the passage of Parliament’s “anti-BDS” motion on Feb. 22, and its own BDS initiatives, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) and its adherents have been much more the target of threats and hate speech in social media.  While the instigators of the hate speech were banned from the social media fora soon after they make their comments, the comments at times nonetheless constitute threats and hate speech.  “One has to wonder whether the parliamentary anti-BDS motion made it ‘open season’ on human rights activists,” mused Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME.   Continue reading

Montreal, February 23, 2016  — In light of the passage of Parliament’s “anti-BDS” motion on Monday, the President of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), Mr. Thomas Woodley, announced that he awaits his condemnation by the Trudeau Liberals.   “I’ve realized that being condemned by Canada’s government, merely for supporting the human rights of Palestinians, might be the most admirable thing I’ll accomplish in my life,” wrote Woodley in a letter to the government, as he awaited news of his condemnation.  As leader of a non-profit actively promoting BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel) as an economic tool to encourage Israel to respect the human rights of Palestinians, Woodley assumes he is near the top of the list for condemnation.   Continue reading

Montreal, February 19, 2015  — In light of ridiculous theatre in Canada’s parliament this week, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) openly launches a creative new campaign to deepen the “Boycott Israel” movement in Canada.  CJPME was specifically cited in the parliamentary motion targeting organizations supporting economic action against Israel, and CJPME has launched its new campaign in response.  CJPME’s campaign invites Canadians from across the country to sign up for a packet of free “Boycott Israel” sticky notes.  CJPME invites Canadians to go to local stores and post these on Israeli merchandise, thus warning potential buyers against buying products from Israel.   Continue reading

Montreal, Feb. 17, 2016 – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is pleased to host Dr. Norman for a three-city speaking tour in Quebec and Ontario, Mar. 22-24.   Finkelstein was awarded his doctorate by PrincetonUniversity in 1988, and has subsequently taught at Rutgers, New York University, BrooklynCollege, HunterCollege and DePaulUniversity (Chicago). His academic research focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its representation in political discourse.     Continue reading

Montreal, February 11, 2015  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns the Israeli parliament’s decision to suspend three Palestinian members of parliament (MKs.)  Monday, Israel’s parliament (i.e. the Knesset) banned three Palestinian MKs from parliamentary activity for several months after they met with the families of Palestinian assailants who were killed by Israeli forces. Palestinian MKs Hanin Zoabi and Basel Ghattas were suspended for four months while Jamal Zahalka was suspended for two months.  CJPME also calls on Canadian parliamentarians to condemn this decision as discriminatory and undemocratic. Continue reading

Montreal, Jan. 20, 2015 – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls on the Liberal government to restore funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) – the international agency that supports Palestinian refugees.  With their more balanced approach to the Palestine-Israeli conflict, previous Liberal governments consistently ensured that Canada was regularly one of the top 10 donor countries to UNRWA.  Under the Harper government, however, UNRWA funding slipped and then was cut entirely after 2012.  CJPME believes that one of the first steps in restoring Canada’s international credibility will be the resumption of its support for UNRWA. Continue reading

Montreal, Dec. 17, 2015 – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) joins with other Canadians to protest the wanton shooting of Canadian Rehab Nazzal by an Israeli Army soldier in Bethlehem last Friday.  Nazzal, currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Western Ontario was shot while doing research in Bethlehem to investigate the impact of robotic and unconventional Israeli surveillance and crowd control techniques on Palestinian civilians.  Shot in the leg, Nazzal is expected to recover fully. Continue reading

Montreal, Dec. 11, 2015 – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) joins with other Canadians in welcoming the first group of refugees from Syria under the Liberal government’s new policy.  In a symbolic inauguration of the government’s new Syrian refugee initiative, 163 refugees arrived in Toronto late Thursday night.  CJPME had been critical for years of the previous government’s parsimonious and closed-minded attitude toward Syrian refugees.  As such, the approach of the new Liberal government is refreshing, and CJPME views the first wave of Syrian refugees as the launch an exciting new era for Canada.   Continue reading

Montreal, Nov. 29, 2015 – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) asserts that several of Canada’s recent votes at the United Nations (UN) are entirely unrepresentative of the position of the majority of Canadians. In annual votes concerning Israel, Palestine and related issues, the Liberal government continued a disturbing trend established by the previous Harper government of supporting untenable Israeli positions in the face of overwhelming international opposition. On six resolutions, Canada joined Israel, the US and four tiny Pacific island nations in extremely lopsided losses (details below.)  Continue reading