Montreal, April 3, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling on Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to fully respect the intent of the Palestine motion adopted by Parliament on March 18 and impose a comprehensive embargo on all arms exports to Israel. While Joly has indicated that she is planning on enacting parts of the motion, she has said that any ban on arms exports will exclude trade under existing arms export permits, a massive loophole that contradicts the plain language understanding of the March 18 motion. CJPME reminds Joly that Parliament voted for a comprehensive end to arms transfers, and insists that she cancel all existing permits for weapons to Israel. Continue reading

Montreal, April 2, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns in the strongest terms Israel’s targeted attack on an aid convoy in Gaza which killed a Canadian-US dual national. The aid worker was killed alongside 6 international and Palestinian volunteers with World Central Kitchen in a series of Israeli airstrikes on their aid convoy. The identity of the Canadian has not yet been publicly identified. CJPME calls on the Canadian government to ensure swift consequences for this criminal act. Continue reading

Montreal, April 1, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) strenuously urges the Trudeau government to pressure Israel to end policies which are creating a man-made famine in Gaza. For weeks, media reports indicate that children have begun to starve to death as a direct result of Israel’s blockade, which itself violates the orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to ensure humanitarian access. If diplomatic strategies to get Israel to end its aid blockade have thus far been unproductive, CJPME reiterates its demand that Canada impose sanctions on Israeli leaders responsible for the forced starvation in Gaza. Continue reading

Montreal, March 18, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) Vice President Michael Bueckert has issued the following statement in response to this evening’s vote by the House of Commons on an NDP Opposition Day motion on Palestine: Continue reading

Montreal, March 18, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is urging all Members of Parliament to vote ‘Yes’ on today’s NDP Opposition Day motion on Palestine, which includes measures for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel. Over 30,000 Canadians have emailed their MP in support of today’s motion using CJPME’s email tool, with at least 20,000 more participating in similar campaigns. CJPME urges Parliament to respond to the calls from civil society and public opinion by voting for measures that would help to end the violence and uphold Palestinian human rights. Continue reading

Montreal, March 15, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is cautiously optimistic about reports that Canada has paused military exports to Israel, including supposedly “non-lethal” goods, but is waiting for an official confirmation from Foreign Affairs Minister Joly. If the reports are true, CJPME believes that this could be a major step forward in ending Canada’s complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza. However, in the absence of an announcement, there is concern that these leaks could be part of a misinformation campaign to suppress grassroots momentum for an embargo. CJPME insists that more information is needed to evaluate whether Canadian policy is adequately responding to the human rights risk in Gaza, and reiterates its demand that Minister Joly impose a comprehensive embargo on military trade with Israel. Continue reading

Montreal, March 14, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is raising concerns about the serious limitations of Canada’s participation in a “humanitarian sea corridor” to Gaza, as announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Joly on March 10. This follows Canada’s announcement of support for humanitarian airdrops into Gaza. CJPME argues that while every avenue for aid is critically needed, these schemes by sea and air are inadequate and do not address the central problem: Israel’s policy of total siege. CJPME urges Canada to impose sanctions on Israel to force an end to the siege and blockade of Gaza. Continue reading

Montreal, March 8, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is relieved that Canada will finally resume funding to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, as announced this afternoon. This is a significant policy reversal for the Canadian government, following widespread pushback from civil society. International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen suspended funding to UNRWA over one month ago, without seeing any evidence to back up Israel’s allegations against a few employees. However, CJPME argues that this reversal must be accompanied by a major infusion of additional aid to UNRWA, alongside serious political pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian access and end its genocidal campaign. Continue reading

Montreal, February 29, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) warns that Canada’s plan to airdrop aid into Gaza is a completely inadequate response to the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe, and argues that it amounts to little more than a photo op to distract from Canada’s ongoing suspension of funding to UNRWA. CJPME urges the Trudeau government to immediately restore funding to UNRWA and hold Israel’s officials responsible for the deliberate obstruction of aid to a population facing famine and genocide. Continue reading

Montreal, February 22, 2024 — In an open letter published today, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC), the Canadian Palestinian Social Association – London (CPSA) and over 75 other Canadian civil society organizations are calling on Ministers Joly, Hussen, and Miller to “Stop Genocide or Resign,” noting that Palestinians can no longer endure the policy failures of these Ministers and this Liberal government. Amid Israel’s unfolding genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, the organizations claim that each of these Ministers has implemented policy decisions, possibly at the direction of the Prime Minister’s Office, that have exacerbated the crisis, causing further harm to those facing catastrophic levels of death and destruction. The organizations claim that these policy failures will continue to cost Palestinian lives on the ground, while contravening Canada’s responsibilities as a third-party state to the Genocide Convention and vis-a-vis the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures. Continue reading