Ontario Bill 202 criminalizes criticism of Israel
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.
BDS: Disinformation in Ontario’s Bill 202
CJPME Factsheet 200, published May, 2016: On Thursday, May 19, 2016, Ontario’s legislature voted down private member’s Bill 202 which would have prevented the provincial government from entering into contract with individuals or entities supporting the BDS movement. This factsheet summarizes the objectives of the BDS movement before explaining why the Ontario Bill 202 is not constitutional.
Read moreThe demands of the BDS movement are consistent with Canada’s foreign policy positions on these same issues, so why do some MPs condemn them?
CJPME Analysis, published February, 2016: This document lists the demands of the BDS movement and shows how they are consistent with Canada's foreign policy positions.
Position Paper: Canada and the BDS movement
BDS Movement – The international “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions” (BDS) movement, established in 2005 to apply economic pressure on Israel to respect international law vis-à-vis the Palestinians and its occupation of Palestinian territories.
Trudeau gov’t unable to follow through on anti-BDS motion?
Montreal, March 31, 2016 — It has been over five weeks since the majority Liberal government of Justin Trudeau committed itself to condemning all Canadian groups and individuals who promote the boycott of Israel (i.e. BDS)[i] in Canada. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) points out that, despite the lip service that Liberal leaders gave in support of the motion at the time, government leaders have not yet condemned a single Canadian group or individual for BDS. CJPME leaders conclude that this is either because: 1) the Liberal government is not convinced of the merits of the motion, or 2) the Liberal government is concerned that the motion contradictsCanada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Go ahead, make my day, condemn me
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The government has committed to condemning all of us, for "any and all attemts" to promote BDS. Let's challenge the government to do it, to each of us! Here's our petition: To the head of Canada’s government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: WHEREAS the House of Commons passed a motion calling the government “to condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] movement, both here at home and abroad,” WHEREAS each one of us has sought to promote the BDS movement, THEREFORE, we the undersigned petition the Canadian government to be individually condemned for, as appropriate, our thoughts, words, and actions, promoting BDS: |
Le gouvernement s’est engagé à tous nous condamner, pour « toutes tentatives de tous genres » qui feront la promotion du mouvement BDS. Alors, lançons-lui un défi, au gouvernement ! Qu’il nous condamne tous et toutes ! Voici notre pétition : Au chef du gouvernement du Canada, le Premier ministre Justin Trudeau : ALORS QUE la Chambre des communes a adopté une motion demandant au gouvernement de « condamner toutes tentatives de tous genres, faites par un organisme, un groupe ou un individu qui visera à promouvoir le mouvement BDS [Boycottage, Désinvestissement et Sanctions] ici au pays ou à l’étranger », ALORS QUE chacun d’entre nous a tenté de promouvoir le mouvement BDS, Nous, les signataires de la pétition ci-jointe, pour les raisons énumérées plus haut, demandons au gouvernement canadien de nous condamner individuellement pour avoir, le cas échéant, promu le mouvement BDS par nos paroles et par nos actions : |
CJPME President waits to be Condemned by Trudeau Government
Montreal, February 23, 2016 — In light of the passage of Parliament’s “anti-BDS” motion on Monday, the President of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), Mr. Thomas Woodley, announced that he awaits his condemnation by the Trudeau Liberals. “I’ve realized that being condemned by Canada’s government, merely for supporting the human rights of Palestinians, might be the most admirable thing I’ll accomplish in my life,” wrote Woodley in a letter to the government, as he awaited news of his condemnation. As leader of a non-profit actively promoting BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel) as an economic tool to encourage Israel to respect the human rights of Palestinians, Woodley assumes he is near the top of the list for condemnation.
Tell your MP to oppose the anti-BDS Motion in Parliament
Last week, a Conservative-sponsored motion was launched in Canada’s parliament calling for the condemnation of organizations and individuals promoting the “Boycott Israel” (i.e. BDS) movement. The vote is due to take place Monday, February 22, 2016. Even if you see this alert after the 22nd, please go ahead and email your MP, as he/she should still hear how you feel on this issue.