Shocking Statements from CIJA’s Israel Office Director on Gaza
Montreal, January 12, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is once again calling on the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) to publicly denounce the potentially genocidal remarks of their Israeli Office Director, David M. Weinberg. As Israel attempts to defend itself against genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), CJPME is appalled by Weinberg’s public commentary which advocates for the Israeli military to reduce Gaza to rubble and calls into question whether there are any innocent civilians in Gaza. CJPME insists that CIJA clarify that they reject and condemn these positions.
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CJPME strongly backs South Africa’s historic ICJ case
Montreal, January 11, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds South Africa’s historic efforts today at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to seek an urgent end to the wanton violence and destruction in Gaza. In its presentations to the ICJ, South Africa put forward detailed and substantive arguments to show that Israel’s actions constitute genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, that Israel’s political and military leaders have expressed genocidal intent, and that provisional measures are necessary to stop Israel’s actions. CJPME reiterates its appeal to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly for Canada to give its full support for South Africa’s application to the ICJ.
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Canada must support South Africa’s ICJ application to prevent genocide in Gaza: CJPME
Montreal, January 5, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls on the Canadian government to support South Africa’s application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to protect Palestinians from genocidal actions by Israel. Last week, South Africa invoked the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’) to initiate proceedings against Israel, another State party, based on its obligations to prevent and punish genocide. In a letter sent yesterday to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, CJPME urged Canada to make a formal submission to the ICJ expressing support for the South African application against Israel.
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Letter to Minister Joly: Canada must support South Africa's ICJ application to prevent genocide in Gaza
Montreal, January 4, 2024 - CJPME has sent the following letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urging Canada to support South Africa's application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent genocide in Gaza.
Click here to download the full letter as a PDF
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CJPME condemns arbitrary limitations on Gaza family reunification and bigoted statements from Canadian officials
Montreal, January 4, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns the arbitrary restrictions that the Canadian government has imposed on its family reunification measures vis-à-vis Gaza, which were announced on December 21, 2023. At the time, Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that Canada would offer 3-year temporary residence to the extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, it has since been reported that these measures will only be extended to a maximum of 1,000 individuals, while another Canadian minister has suggested this limitation is because the government sees Palestinians as a threat.
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CJPME welcomes Gaza family reunification measures
Montreal, December 21, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) welcomes today’s announcement of new special immigration measures that will allow some Palestinian Canadians to reunite with their loved ones in Gaza. According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Canada will offer 3-year temporary residence to the extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, among other measures. CJPME is thrilled for the families who will benefit from this overdue policy, but continues to urge Canada to press for an immediate ceasefire to protect the two million Palestinians who remain unable to leave for safety.
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Canada is escalating the conflict by joining US-led military operations in the Red Sea: CJPME
Montreal, December 19, 2023 — In response to the announcement that the Canadian military has joined a US-led naval force in the Red Sea, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) issued the following statement by CJPME’s Vice President Michael Bueckert:
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Canada must impose visa bans on Israeli settlers: CJPME
Montreal, December 15, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling on the Canadian government to take meaningful action against Israeli settler violence, amid an epidemic of violence and displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. In a letter sent today to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, CJPME urges Canada to follow the lead of the US, UK, and EU in imposing visa bans on Israeli settlers involved in violence, but insists that Israeli officials must be held equally accountable. CJPME recommends that Canada impose sanctions on far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir and consider designating Israel as a state supporter of terrorism.
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Letter to Minister Joly: Canada must act against state-sponsored settler violence
Montreal, December 15, 2023 - CJPME has sent to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urging action against state-sponsored settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Click here to download the full letter as a PDF
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“If Toronto were Gaza”: Infographic highlights absurd injustice of Gaza evacuation orders
Montreal, December 15, 2023 - As of December 11, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has displaced almost 1.9 million Palestinians, constituting nearly 85% of Gaza’s population. Israel has ordered Palestinians across the territory to ‘evacuate’ their homes, a demand that the UN has said is impossible to carry out. Even worse, Israel has continued to bomb the supposedly ‘safe’ areas it has ordered Palestinians to flee to, underlining the fact that nowhere is safe in Gaza.
To help Canadians better understand the scale and implications of Israel’s evacuation orders, CJPME has issued the below infographic comparing Gaza to Toronto. With this context, it is clear to see that Israel’s orders are unfair, absurd, and impossible.
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