Montreal, November 15, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is deeply disturbed by the Canadian government’s one-sided response to the violence erupting in Gaza. CJPME calls on the Canadian government to condemn Israel’s killings in Gaza and follow through on its 2018 promise to establish an independent investigation to thoroughly examine the facts on the ground. Continue reading

Montreal, October 28, 2019 — With several Palestinian-Canadian organizations, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) has signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling the new Liberal government to show leadership on human rights in Palestine-Israel.  In addition to CJPME, the letter is signed by 13 other Canadian civic organizations, most of them representing the Palestinian-Canadian community in various cities across Canada.  While congratulating Trudeau on his election win, the signatories to the letter call Trudeau to a higher human rights standard, enumerating six areas of need. Continue reading

Montreal, October 22, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is not optimistic that Canada’s attitude toward human rights in the Middle East will change following the most recent federal elections.  Among other issues, Canada has come under harsh domestic and international criticism for its refusal to abandon arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite that country’s atrocious human rights record.  Canada also continues to vote with a small minority at the UN, in an effort to shield Israel from criticism for its human rights abuses.  On these and other positions, Canada’s behaviour is unlikely to improve with the most recent election result.  Continue reading

Montreal, October 16, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is delighted to announce an ambitious ten-city Canadian lecture tour by veteran foreign correspondent and author Robert Fisk.  The tour will start in Montreal on November 6, and will end in Vancouver on November 16. Dr. Fisk’s lectures, entitled “Tweets and ‘Deals of the Century’: How to join the Arab world's sectarian war under the guise of peace,” will focus on the chaos resulting from US President Trump’s indecipherable Mideast policy. Continue reading

Montreal, October 11, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls Canada to oppose the Turkish offensive in northern Syria, fearing that it will endanger civilians and reignite bloodshed.  Turkey launched the offensive following US President Trump’s decision to withdraw US soldiers from a border region of Syria.  A human rights organization, CJPME does not take political positions, but opposes actions that put civilians at risk, violate human rights, or enflame tensions.  Continue reading

Montreal, October 2, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is pleased to release its “2019 Election Guide” analyzing the positions of Canada’s main five political parties on key Middle East issues. While party positions vary, CJPME found that most Canadian political parties fail to consistently uphold human rights in their Middle East Policy. By providing an analysis of what parties have said and done on key issues, CJPME hopes to better inform voters prior to this month’s election. Continue reading

Montreal, August 28, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is pleased to announce a three-city tour and talk with Noura Erakat, Palestinian-American author and law professor, centered around her new book “Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine.” The talk will be presented in three Canadian cities: Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto, September 11, 12 and 13. Continue reading

Montreal, August 27, 2019 — In advance of federal elections, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) urges Canada’s federal parties to take a position against Quebec’s law 21.  Entitled “An act respecting the laicity of the state,” the law bars public servants in positions of authority, including judges, police officers, and teachers from wearing religious symbols while on the job.  A secular organization, CJPME opposes the bill as an infringement on the rights of Canadians of Middle East origin, especially Muslim-Canadians.  The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms prevents the government from passing laws which prevent or inhibit Canadians from practicing their religion. Continue reading

Montreal, August 22, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) urges the Canadian government to respect the July 29 Federal Court decision in David Kattenburg vs. Attorney General of Canadadetermining that labelling Israeli “settlement” wines as “Products of Israel” is both inaccurate and misleading.  In respect of this ruling, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) must henceforth insist that, to be sold in Canada, such wines conform to this decision.  To demonstrate respect for international law, CJPME urges the Canadian government to accept – and not to appeal – the July 29 Federal Court ruling. Continue reading

Montreal, August 13, 2019 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) urges the Canadian government to maintain its support for the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). CJPME urges this support in spite of recent calls from pro-Israel organizations B’nai Brith and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) to end Canadian support for UNRWA, in light of recent allegations of mismanagement.  Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has also echoed the call to end Canadian funding to UNRWA. Continue reading