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

Montreal, November 1, 2016  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds two recent bi-partisan motions in Parliament.  First, CJPME was happy to see the bi-partisan call for immediate help to Yazidi refugees, especially women and girls.  Second, CJPME was pleased to see the unanimous consent for an anti-Islamophobia motion.  “Both motions reflect critical maturing in Canada’s thinking on the Middle East and its peoples,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME.  “If Canadian leaders can set aside racial stereotypes and partisan politics to intervene in a humanitarian and inclusive way, then we’ve made progress,” added Woodley.  Continue reading

Montreal, October 27, 2016  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls for Governor-General David Johnston’s state visit to the Middle East to be the moment for the Liberal government to demonstrate a new approach to the region.  “Thus far, the Trudeau government has been virtually indistinguishable from the Harper government on questions relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict,” said Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME.  CJPME believes that after a year in office, it’s time for the Trudeau government to define a new approach vis-à-vis the conflict.   Continue reading

Montreal, August 8, 2016  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) enthusiastically applauds the Green Party’s decision to support the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.  “By voting overwhelmingly in support of this BDS resolution, Green Party members demonstrate their deep concern for the human rights of indigenous Palestinians,” asserted Thomas Woodley, president of CJPME.  BDS is a movement applying economic pressure on Israel until it respects the human rights of Palestinians in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.   Continue reading

Montreal, May 24, 2016 - On May 19, the Ontario Legislature blocked the passage of Bill 202 which would have imposed sweeping economic sanctions on Canadian entities and individuals who support BDS.  A group of Canadian organizations has come to together to applaud the blockage of this bill in a joint statement.  These organizations include: Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME – CJPMO) The Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF – FMC) Palestinian Canadian Congress (PCC – CPC) The United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine-Israel (UNJPPI) Independent Jewish Voices (IJV - VJI)   Continue reading

Montreal, May 19, 2016  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) denounces Ontario Bill 202 as an affront to free speech in Ontario.  CJPME points out that Bill 202 both attacks Canadians’ right to express themselves through boycott action, and smears an entire movement of human rights activists by accusing them of anti-Semitism.  Bill 202, the so-called “Standing Up Against Anti-Semitism in Ontario Act,” would prevent entities from entering into contract with provincial institutions if these entities support the “BDS” human rights movement based in Israel-Palestine.  BDS stands for “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions” and is a movement to put economic pressure on Israel so that it respects the human rights of Palestinians in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.   Continue reading

View this file in .pdf format We, the undersigned, wish to request that the Canadian government restore funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.  In your mandate letter as Minister of International Development, the Prime Minister has called you to focus “Canada’s development assistance on helping the poorest and most vulnerable, and supporting fragile states.”  We believe that Palestinian refugees in the Middle East are among the world’s most vulnerable populations, and sorely need the aid that Canada has historically provided.  (View full document below)

Montreal, May 12, 2016  — Today, a diverse cross-section of dozens of Canadian groups enjoined the Canadian government to reinstate funding for the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA.)  In a letter addressed to the Minister of International Development, Marie-Claude Bibeau, the organizations asked the Canadian government to contribute at least $35 million annually to UNRWA’s core programmes, and to be ready to respond to future UNRWA emergency appeals in times of crisis.  The groups signing the letter represent Canadians of all backgrounds – including unions and other broad-based community groups – and reflect the broad Canadian support for UNRWA funding. Continue reading