Montreal, March 2^nd, 2017 — A second batch of results from an EKOS survey of Canadian attitudes towards Israel reveals a dramatic schism between Canadian government policy and Canadians’ deep concerns about Israeli violations of international law. The first release on Feb 16^th revealed Canadians’ mostly negative opinion of the Israeli government and their feeling that Canada’s government was pro-Israel. This release reveals overwhelming acceptance of sanctions and boycotts as “reasonable” means to pressure Israel to adhere to international law.

Montreal, February 17, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) and partners released new survey results yesterday which indicate sharp disagreement between Canadians’ attitudes and government policy on Israel.  The survey, conducted by EKOS and Associates, suggests that Canadian government policy on Israel is not representative of most Canadians’ views.  

All survey results, a summary report, and charts can be accessed at http://survey.cjpme.org.

Montreal, Ottawa, February 16, 2017 - A new public opinion survey on the Israel/Palestinian conflict reveals a dramatic disconnect between the policies of the Canadian government and public opinion. The survey, conducted by EKOS and Associates, raises serious questions about Canadian policies and the assumptions that underlie them. 

Montreal and Ottawa, February 15, 2017  — A coalition consisting of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV), Murray Dobbin and Dimitri Lascaris will issue a report, and hold a press conference call tomorrow, February 16, to release and discuss the results of a new survey contrasting Canadian public opinion on Israel and Palestine with government policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Montreal, February 14, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) congratulates Green Party (GPC) leaders and members for the overwhelming ratification of a party resolution which calls for economic pressure and potentially sanctions on Israel for its failure to respect the human rights of Palestinians.  The resolution was ratified with over 90 percent support.  Although the resolution was passed at a GPC party convention in early December, a newly instituted on-line ratification process gave all party members the opportunity to vote on the resolution.  

Montreal, February 8, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) again implores the Trudeau government to publicly condemn yet another step in Israel’s dispossession of Palestinians from the West Bank.  Right-wing coalition members of the Israeli government forced the bill, and it passed 60-52 in Israel’s parliament – the Knesset.  Israel’s so-called “Regulation Bill” was slammed as a means to “legalize theft” of Palestinian land. “The Trudeau government’s ongoing silence on this, and other recent Israeli steps to dispossess Palestinians is unconscionable,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. 

Montreal, February 2, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) considers the Trudeau government’s behaviour embarrassing in the face of dramatic announcements by Israel to expand its illegal “settlements.”  In addition to announcing 3000 new settlement units yesterday, the Israeli government announced plans to break ground on an entirely new settlement – the first time since the late 1990s.  “The Trudeau government says it believes in the two-state solution, but its silence these past few weeks tells a different story,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. “The Trudeau government gives lip-service to Middle East peace, but continues to turn a blind eye to the illegal Israeli colonization of land that is slated to be part of a Palestinian state.”  

Montreal, January 31, 2017  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls on the Canadian government to condemn Israel’s recent statements announcing its intention to expand its illegal settlements in Palestinian territory.  In the week ending Friday, Jan. 27^th, Israel made three separate settlement expansion announcements, yet Canada remained unresponsive.  “Not only are such announcements contrary to international law,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME, “But such belligerent moves also contradict long-standing Canadian policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict.”  

This position paper contains recommendations regarding Canada’s part in the Israel-Palestinian Situation. These recommendations address the humanitarian help that should be provided as well as the actions that the Parliamentarians should take.

Montreal, February 11, 2015  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns the Israeli parliament’s decision to suspend three Palestinian members of parliament (MKs.)  Monday, Israel’s parliament (i.e. the Knesset) banned three Palestinian MKs from parliamentary activity for several months after they met with the families of Palestinian assailants who were killed by Israeli forces. Palestinian MKs Hanin Zoabi and Basel Ghattas were suspended for four months while Jamal Zahalka was suspended for two months.  CJPME also calls on Canadian parliamentarians to condemn this decision as discriminatory and undemocratic.