Montreal, February 8, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) again implores the Trudeau government to publicly condemn yet another step in Israel’s dispossession of Palestinians from the West Bank.  Right-wing coalition members of the Israeli government forced the bill, and it passed 60-52 in Israel’s parliament – the Knesset.  Israel’s so-called “Regulation Bill” was slammed as a means to “legalize theft” of Palestinian land. “The Trudeau government’s ongoing silence on this, and other recent Israeli steps to dispossess Palestinians is unconscionable,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME.  Continue reading

Montreal, February 2, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) considers the Trudeau government’s behaviour embarrassing in the face of dramatic announcements by Israel to expand its illegal “settlements.”  In addition to announcing 3000 new settlement units yesterday, the Israeli government announced plans to break ground on an entirely new settlement – the first time since the late 1990s.  “The Trudeau government says it believes in the two-state solution, but its silence these past few weeks tells a different story,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. “The Trudeau government gives lip-service to Middle East peace, but continues to turn a blind eye to the illegal Israeli colonization of land that is slated to be part of a Palestinian state.”   Continue reading

Montreal, January 31, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls on the Canadian government to condemn Israel’s recent statements announcing its intention to expand its illegal settlements in Palestinian territory.  In the week ending Friday, Jan. 27th, Israel made three separate settlement expansion announcements, yet Canada remained unresponsive.  “Not only are such announcements contrary to international law,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME, “But such belligerent moves also contradict long-standing Canadian policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict.”   Continue reading

Montreal, January 30, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is saddened and disgusted by Sunday night’s deadly attack on a Quebec City mosque that killed six and injured eight.  CJPME condemns the attack, and echoes suspicions that this attack was a terrorist incident motivated by hatred towards Muslims.  “The climate towards Muslims in Quebec has been increasingly hostile in recent years,” explained Thomas Woodley, president of CJPME.  “Quebec and national politicians have often fanned the flames of animosity and prejudice towards Muslims, and attacks like these are the tragic and inevitable result.”    Continue reading

Montreal, Jan. 9, 2017 – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is proud to host writer and philosopher Professor Tariq Ramadan for a five city Canadian speaking tour visiting Calgary, Edmonton, London, Mississauga, and Toronto between Jan. 18th and 21st.  Prof. Ramadan will deliver a political talk entitled, Creating Thriving Societies in Troubling Times.  In the wake of current events in Europe and North America, CJPME considers Ramadan’s visit to be extremely timely and useful to the Canadian discourse on international peace, security and harmony.  Prof. Ramadan’s talk is intended to address the preoccupations of both the West and the Muslim world in the face of the shifting world alliances, East-West perceptions, international terrorism, ongoing conflicts, and massive refugee movements.   Continue reading

Montreal, Dec. 5, 2016  — Over the weekend, at a federal Green Party Special General Meeting (SGM), Green members voted 84% in favour of economic sanctions on Israel because of its violations of Palestinian human rights.  “This is a landmark decision in Canadian politics,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East.  “This vote reflects Canadians’ anger about the West’s failure to bring peace in Israel-Palestine, and a desire to see an end to Israel’s human rights abuses.”  While the new resolution does not specifically cite the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS), its precepts align perfectly with those of BDS, including calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions.   Continue reading

Montreal, December 1, 2016  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) denounces the passage of an Ontario motion condemning BDS.  The BDS movement – standing for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions – seeks to non-violently pressure the Israeli government to fulfill its human rights obligations under international law.  “This motion will surely put a chill on free speech in Ontario vis-à-vis Israel’s human rights abuses,” asserted Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME.  “It is a sad day when Ontario seeks to censure individuals for their political views.” Continue reading

Montreal, November 30, 2016  — Earlier this week, an open letter signed by Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein and other notables encouraged Canada’s Federal Greens (GPC) to maintain economic pressure on Israel for its human rights abuses against Palestinians.  This letter demonstrates the global interest in the GPC’s recent resolutions on Israel-Palestine – resolutions that thus far distinguish the party from other Canadian parties.  Political writer and pundit Chomsky, and writer and environmental activist Klein were joined by dozens of other international and Canadian activists.   Continue reading

Montreal, November 16, 2016  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) congratulates the Canadian government’s decision today to renew funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) – the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees.  Earlier today, Canada’s Minister of International Development, Marie-Claude Bibeau announced that Canada is contributing $25 million to support the organization’s work.  “The Trudeau government has finally differentiated itself from the Harper government in regards to the Middle East,” declared Thomas Woodley, president of CJPME.   Continue reading

Montreal, November 11, 2016  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds the proposed Green Party of Canada (GPC) resolution on Israel-Palestine.  The proposed resolution was emailed to party members Wednesday, and was a result of collaborative work between the GPC shadow cabinet and other party human rights activists.  “We are pleased to see a fair-minded and inclusive resolution which addresses the concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians, and speaks to the long-standing human rights issues in the region,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. Continue reading