This position paper discusses CJPME's proposed amendments to the Bill C-85 and to the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

Montreal, October 15^th, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds the Trudeau government’s decision to expand funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). Last Friday, Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau announced that Canada will provide $50 million in multi-year funding to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA, as well as $12.5 million to Right to Play International. While CJPME believes this is a healthy step toward bridging a funding gap for Palestinian refugees, Canada must work seriously toward a long-term solution for Palestinian refugees.

Montreal, August 29, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) opposes Saudi Arabia’s repressive actions against human rights defenders, most recently demonstrated through the arrests of Saudi activist Omar Abdulaziz’s family and friends. CJPME points out that Saudi Arabia’s authoritarian actions betray Canadian democratic values, and calls the Canadian government to condemn these most recent Saudi violations of basic human rights.

Montreal, July 31, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds the announcement of $50 million in Canadian aid to Palestinians on Monday by Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau.  CJPME points out, however, that the economic deprivation suffered by Palestinians is largely a result of Israel’s crippling military occupation of the Palestinian territories.  As such, in addition to the aid, CJPME calls on Canada to take more forceful diplomatic steps to encourage Israel to loosen and ultimately end its military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. 

June 14, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is disappointed by the Trudeau government’s decision to abstain on a UN General Assembly vote yesterday condemning Israel for its disproportionate violence against Palestinians in Gaza in recent weeks.  The resolution text rightly deplored the “excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and particularly in the Gaza Strip,” and called attention to Israel’s use of live ammunition against civilian protesters, including children, medics and journalists. 

Montreal, May 29, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls for a review and revamp of Canada-Israel trade ties.  Today, Israel’s minister of trade was feted at the Royal York hotel in Toronto, and activists from several organizations were present to protest trade cooperation with Israel.  Protesters attendant at the meeting stood up, one after the other, to disrupt the Israeli trade minister’s speech.  Their objections raised several issues, but heavily questioned how Canada could endorse deeper ties with Israel given Israel’s brutal and illegal crackdown on Palestinian protesters in Gaza just two weeks ago which also injured a Canadian doctor. 

This position paper discusses Trump’s decree recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, its implications and the role Canada must play in the situation.

March 29, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) applauds the upcoming Parliamentary fact-finding trip to Palestine, and the participation of almost two dozen MPs. The participating MPs will be departing for Palestine on March 30, and most will remain for a week of scheduled activities. CJPME is optimistic that the trip will open be illuminating for the politicians involved, and that they will gain a greater appreciation of the struggles and suffering of the Palestinian people living under Israeli military occupation.

CJPME Factsheet, published March 01, 2018: This factsheet addresses the ongoing debate between Israel and Palestine over Jerusalem. It explores both parties attachment to the city, as well as the International law on it. Finally, the factsheet addresses Trump’s recent decree and Canada’s position on the matter.

Montreal, December 21, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns the Trudeau government’s decision to abstain in today’s UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution A/ES-10/L.22.  The resolution demanded that “all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions.”  Like most Canadians, CJPME considers this UNGA demand to be reasonable and in line with Canada’s supposed wish to support international law and a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.