Letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly About the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry Report
Montreal, June 15, 2022 - Below is a letter from CJPME to Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Mélanie Joly addressing the recent report by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israel intends to deepen its control over occupied Palestinian territory. Click here to download a PDF of the letter.
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Following Israeli conviction, Canada must demand the release of persecuted aid worker Mohammed El Halabi
Montreal, June 15, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling on the Canadian government to demand the release of persecuted Gaza aid worker Mohammed El Halabi, following his outrageous conviction by an Israeli court after six years of detention, on charges which have been discredited. CJPME urges Canada to take immediately action to secure El Halabi’s freedom.
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CJPME applauds the Ontario Federation of Labour for endorsing an arms embargo on Israel
Montreal, June 14, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) congratulates the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) for endorsing a series of measures in support of Palestinian human rights, including sanctions on Israel. A resolution adopted by the OFL and published today in a statement on international solidarity calls for an end to Canadian arms sales to Israel, a ban on goods from illegal Israel settlements, and divestment from Israeli military companies. Another resolution adopted by the OFL upholds free speech on Palestine by rejecting the discredited IHRA definition of antisemitism, which equates legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The OFL is Canada’s largest labour federation, representing more than 1,500 locals from 54 affiliated unions.
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BADBADNOTGOOD Cancels Concert in Apartheid Israel!
Update June 12, 2022: BADBADNOTGOOD will no longer be playing their July concert in Tel Aviv! The venue claims that the show has been 'postponed' and will be arranged at a later date. CJPME asks BADBADNOTGOOD to respect the cultural boycott of Israel and refrain from re-booking this show in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Below is a letter sent by CJPME to Toronto band BADBADNOTGOOD on June 9, 2022, urging them to cancel their upcoming show in apartheid Israel.
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UN inquiry finds Israel responsible for “root causes” of last year’s violence in Palestine
Montreal, June 7, 2022 — Israeli practices of occupation and discrimination against Palestinians are the “root causes” of last year’s violence, according to the first report by the United Nation’s Commission of Inquiry on Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The UN inquiry found that although both Israel and Palestinian authorities are responsible for human rights violations, Israel nonetheless holds far greater responsibility due to the asymmetrical nature of the occupation and other mechanisms of oppression. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) urges the Canadian government to publicly welcome the findings of the inquiry and take steps to address the root causes of violence in Palestine.
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Canada’s arms exports to Israel increased by 33% in 2021, amid Gaza bombing
Montreal, May 31, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is alarmed to learn that Canada’s military exports to Israel increased by 33% in 2021, amid Israel’s 11-day bombing campaign against the occupied Gaza Strip. According to Canada’s newly released annual report on military exports, Canada exported $26,092,288 in military goods to Israel in 2021; up from $19,583,838* in 2020 and approaching the historical high-water mark of $26,893,255* in 1987. This puts Israel in 10th place among Canada’s top twelve non-U.S. destinations for military exports. CJPME calls on Canada to put an immediate halt to this worrying trend by immediately suspending all military trade with Israel.
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Letter: Canada's double standard at the World Health Assembly
Montreal, May 27, 2022 - Below is a letter from CJPME to Minister of Health Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos addressing Canada's double standard at the World Health Assembly. "Canada should condemn Israeli attacks on health care, just as it would condemn the same behaviour by any other state." Click here to download a PDF of the letter.
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Letter to Joly: Canada Must Demand Justice for Shireen Abu Akleh
Montreal, May 20, 2022 - Below is a letter from CJPME to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urging Canada to support an independent, international investigation into Israel's killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Click here to download a PDF of the letter.
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Inter-Parliamentary Task Force calls for a coordinated international response to apartheid
Montreal, May 19, 2022 — Legislators from Europe and North America issued a joint statement today calling for a coordinated international response to the deteriorating human rights situation facing the Palestinian people, following the publication of reports by Amnesty International and United Nations Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk which concluded that Israel’s practices against the Palestinians amount to “apartheid.”
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Algerian authorities must stop their assault on civic space and fundamental freedoms
Montreal, May 19, 2022 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) today joins 37 organizations in launching a global campaign against the increasing repression of civic liberties and human rights in Algeria. Below is the joint letter.
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