Between January 25 and February 2, 2017, EKOS Research Associates conducted a national on-line survey of 1,000 Canadians to explore attitudes toward Israel, Palestine, and related issues here in Canada.  EKOS statistically weighted all the data by age, gender, education and region to ensure the sample’s composition reflects that of the actual population of Canada, based on census data.  The margin of error associated with the sample is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.  The results summarized below are based on respondents who expressed an opinion.   

This paper discusses multiple subjects regarding Canada's engagement policies with Middle Eastern countries as well as with <regime changing> initiatives led by other Western countries. 

This position paper discusses Canada's stance regarding the Syrian civil war: military engagement, assistance, and aid commitments. 

CJPME Factsheet 202, published May 16, 2017: This factsheet addresses the recent criticism on Canada's funding of UNRWA. Most importantly, it discusses whether or not UNRWA has ties to Hamas, whether or not UNRWA allows Hamas to use its schools as weapons caches, and whether or not UNRWA incites hate against Israelis. Finally, CJPME suggests a way Canada should respond if ties to Hamas were found. 

On April 13, 2017, the Liberal government tabled Bill C-47 for Canada to accede to the Arms Trade Treaty.  MPs must strengthen Bill C-47 (tabled April 13, 2017) before voting in support of Canada’s accession to the international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).  There are several reasons both to accede the the treaty, and to modify Bill C-47. 

The following document outlines a high-level strategy for Canada in the Middle East for the coming months.  Underlying this strategy is the conviction that Canada should apply basic principles of decency and humanity in its interactions with other countries.  These principles include: 1) support for international law; 2) an equal legal standard for all; 3) a belief that violence doesn’t lead to solutions; 4) humanitarian concern; 5) support for representative governance; and 6) a sense of urgency in responding to crises.  There is also the underlying assumption in this document that Canada is a wealthy and privileged nation, and that Canada has a responsibility to contribute constructively (and financially) to humanitarian, political and diplomatic crises in the Middle East.  

CJPME Factsheet 130, published July, 2011: This factsheet looks at the Palestinian and Israeli treatment of prisoners. Whereas the 2006 kidnap of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit made international headlines, the world remained silent about the 5,383 Palestinian prisoners detained by the Israeli Prison Service (IPS). Canada, which has ratified several human rights treaties pertaining to arrests, imprisonment and torture, remains silent on the subject of Palestinian prisoners and the conditions of their imprisonment.

CJPME Factsheet 63, published May, 2009: After occupying East Jerusalem in 1967, Israel seized archeological artifacts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of over 900 ancient manuscripts excavated from Qumran and surrounding areas in the West Bank. In June, 2009, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) showcased these artifacts in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority, violating Canada’s responsibilities under UNESCO and its own obligations as a member of the Canadian Museums Association (CMA).

CJPME Factsheet 59, published April, 2009: This factsheet looks into Omar Khadr’ ordeal, from being captured in Afghanistan by American troops in 2002 at the age of fifteen, to his detention at Guantanamo Bay, where he has been held without a trial for nearly seven years. Although Khadr is a Canadian citizen, the Canadian government has refused to seek his extradition or repatriation despite the urgings to do so of Amnesty International and the Canadian Bar Association.

This position paper provides an overview of the summary discussion in former US President Jimmy Carter’s book, Palestine: Peace not Apartheid. Five recommendations inspired by the book and adapted to Canadian context are listed and their potential benefits explained.