Montreal, November 29, 2022 — On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) declares its steadfast support for the human rights and the national aspirations of the Palestinian people, whether those living under Israeli military occupation, those living in Israel, or those living as refugees in the diaspora. CJPME’s position is representative of numerous public opinion polls which demonstrate clearly that Canadians want their government to support Palestinian human rights. As such, CJPME also calls on the Canadian government to heed public opinion and its own supposed allegiance to the “international rules-based order,” and to stand with Palestinians by opposing Israeli apartheid. Continue reading

Montreal, November 21, 2022 — Canada’s rejection of the findings by Amnesty International on Israel’s regime of “apartheid” was not based on specific evidence, as indicated by documents released under the Access to Information Act and obtained by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME). The released documents reveal that Global Affairs Canada (GAC)’s response to Amnesty’s landmark report did not identify any specific issue or criticism that would justify rejecting its findings, but that GAC nonetheless concluded that the report “will not alter Canada’s engagement with Israel.” CJPME calls on the Canadian government to meaningfully engage with the consensus on Israel’s apartheid within the human rights sector and immediately implement the recommendations detailed in Amnesty’s report. Click here for a Timeline of Canada’s Response to Amnesty’s Report Continue reading

Montreal, November 15, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is angered by Canada’s opposition to a draft United Nations motion which would request a legal opinion on the illegality of Israel’s occupation. Last Friday, the UN’s Fourth Committee voted 98-17 to request the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to render an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory” occupied since 1967, with Canada voting in the minority against the resolution. CJPME considers Israel’s de facto “permanent occupation” over Palestinians to be inhumane and brutal, and urges Canada to support this necessary resolution when it comes to a final vote in the UNGA plenary before the end of the year. Continue reading

Montreal, November 14, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) and Canadians United Against Hate (CUAH) are calling on the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to take accountability for an incident of anti-Palestinian racism that occurred when it issued its school dress code on Oct. 31.  In the on-line FAQ for the new school dress code, a “Free Palestine” t-shirt was used as an example of school dress which would “promote or incite… violence.” Continue reading

Montreal, November 7, 2022 — Last week in Ramallah, in a meeting with Canada’s mission to the Palestinian Authority, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) drew urgent attention to the issue of Israel’s violent repression of Palestinian human rights organizations.  Continue reading

Montreal, October 17, 2022 - CJPME sent a letter to Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth, with concerns about the possibility that Canada Heritage may force third-party grantees to sign an attestation form in support of IHRA in order to receive government funding. This poses a serious threat to free expression and may amount to a violation of charter rights. Read the full letter below, or click here to download a PDF version. Continue reading

CJPME is a member of the CAF out of Calgary campaign, which is advocating against the city of Calgary's contract with CAF to expand Calgary's light rail system. CAF is unethically involved in a $2.5 billion CDN contract to expand the Jerusalem Light Rail (JLR) network – a system that further entrenches Israel's brutal apartheid treatment of Palestinians. Continue reading

Montreal, October 3rd, 2022 - In a letter published by the Hill Times on Monday, October 3, 2022, CJPME's Michael Bueckert pointed out the hypocrisy of the Israel-Morocco pro-occupation agreement, which has been falsely characterized by Israel's supporters as a "peace deal." The text is reproduced below, click here to see the original. Continue reading

Montreal, September 30th, 2022 - Below is a letter from CJPME to Jayda G dated September 26, 2022, urging her to respect the cultural boycott of apartheid Israel and withdraw from her scheduled participation in the DGTL festival in Tel Aviv. Click here for full PDF.  Continue reading

Montreal, September 7, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is reiterating its call for Canada to support an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the killing of veteran Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, amid growing and overwhelming evidence of Israeli responsibility. In May, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly had called for a “thorough investigation” into the incident, but Israel’s recent military probe has failed to find any responsibility, despite admitting that Israeli forces most likely killed her. CJPME argues that Canadian support for an ICC investigation is necessary due to the inability and unwillingness ofIsrael to hold itself accountable. Continue reading