Gaza

Truce must lead to full ceasefire: CJPME

Montreal, November 21, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) welcomes the temporary Qatar-mediated truce announced between Israel and Hamas, and urges the Canadian government to leverage this momentum to push for a permanent ceasefire. The multi-day truce deal will provide temporary relief in the fighting, an increase in humanitarian aid, and secure the release of some Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages. The deal was approved by the Israeli cabinet and is expected to come into effect on Thursday. CJPME warns that this truce must not be allowed to end with the resumption of Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment and siege of Gaza, but must lead to a complete cessation of hostilities and an end to the occupation and siege – a full ceasefire.

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With more than 10,000 killed in Gaza, CJPME calls on Trudeau to support an immediate ceasefire

Montreal, November 08, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week urging him to join the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Canada has so far opposed calls for a ceasefire and appears to support Israel’s indefinite military escalation with the goal of “eliminating” Hamas. However, with more than 10,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s offensive, and the siege on food, water, and electricity creating a catastrophic humanitarian toll, CJPME is urging Trudeau to acknowledge that its failed approach is only perpetuating further human suffering.

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Canada fails humanity with abstention on UN vote: CJPME

Montreal, October 28, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns Canada’s abstention on a UN General Assembly emergency resolution late Friday, which called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” in Gaza. Many considered the resolution to be the last opportunity to prevent the bloody and devastating ground assault that was subsequently launched on Gaza by Israel. The resolution was sponsored by Jordan and passed with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions. In addition to calling for a truce, it also called for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and allow the “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The resolution also called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all civilians held captive. As the UN debate was underway, Israel imposed a total communications blackout on Gaza and launched a ground assault, escalating its bloody and devastating attacks on Gaza in complete darkness.

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Joint Statement: Ceasefire now, end the siege, for a just and lasting peace

Montreal, October 21, 2023 [Signatories updated November 7] - Below is a joint statement from a broad and representative cross-section of Canadian civil society to demand an immediate ceasefire and urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza. Signatories include labour, faith, community (Arab, Palestinian, Jewish), civil society, and peace and justice organizations.

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Guidelines for improved coverage on Gaza-Israel war

Montreal, October 15, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) expresses deep concern over the inconsistent media coverage of the Gaza-Israel war since October 7, 2023. CJPME has been closely following the reporting in Canada media over the past week, and is aware of many instances in which news coverage has failed to be consistent in upholding professional journalistic standards.  CJPME provides the following critiques of the media response of the past week, and recommendations for future coverage:

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UPDATED: Canadian citizens in Gaza abandoned under Canada’s two-tier evacuation plan: CJPME

Montreal, October 13, 2023 [Updated October 14, 2023] — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is expressing extreme concern over the Canadian government’s failure to secure evacuation for citizens stuck in Gaza and the West Bank. While Canada has already completed four evacuation flights for its citizens in Israel, it has yet to secure plans for its own citizens in the occupied Palestinian territories, despite the catastrophic humanitarian situation. Israel told Canadian officials earlier today that they had decided against proposals to allow foreign nationals to flee Gaza via Egypt. This leaves at least 150 Canadian citizens trapped by Israel alongside more than 2 million Palestinians, without any relief or safety from Israeli siege and bombardment.

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Tell Trudeau: Push for end to bloodshed in Gaza

Words cannot express our worry and fear for the two million civilians of Gaza. Over the weekend, Israel has ordered half the population of Gaza to move to the south of the territory, and has taken actions that suggest they plan to dispossess millions of Palestinians from Gaza - literally a Nakba 2.0. Seemingly indifferent, the Trudeau government refuses to push for a ceasefire even after more than 2700 Palestinians have been killed. Let it be said that you did not sit idly by while our political leaders watched Israel turn Gaza to dust, slaughter its people, and commit another mass atrocity.

Help respond positively to events in Gaza

Like CJPME, you've probably been following events around Gaza closely these past 24 hours. Like you, we've been doing our best to respond to poor media coverage, and one-sided statements from politicians.  Here's a summary of what we've been doing, and ways you can participate.  If you believe in CJPME's work, please consider donating. 

 

Influencing Media Narratives

Early on Saturday, CJPME issued a strong press statement to the media that was picked up by the Canadian Press, and quoted in dozens of print and broadcast publications.  You can see us quoted in the piece in the Calgary Herald, the Toronto Star, and dozens of other publications and broadcasters. The PR contained important core points: If you're talking to your friends, some you might find useful are:

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Crisis Report 2023

Last updated: Friday, November 24, 12:30 p.m. ET

In this brief:

This is a new resource to follow the developments related to the escalation of violence in Palestine-Israel, following the attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel's response. Further resources will be added in the coming days.

Important statistics since October 7, 2023

  • Palestinians killed in Gaza: 14,800, including at least 6,000 children, with thousands missing under the rubble. NOTE: Since November 11, these numbers have not been properly updated by the Gaza health ministry due to the collapse of communications and hospitals in the north. 
  • Palestinians wounded in Gaza: 36,000
  • Palestinians internally displaced in Gaza: At least 1.7 million
  • Palestinians killed in the West Bank: At least 211, including at least 54 children
  • Palestinians injured in the West Bank: At least 2866, including at least 365 children
  • Israelis killed: About 1,200, including 356 soldiers
  • Israelis wounded: 5,431
  • Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants: Reportedly 236, with some hostages set to be released

Canadian Political Responses to situation in Palestine-Israel

Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister)

Bob Rae (Canada's Ambassador to the UN)

Melanie Joly (Liberal)

Ahmed Hussen (Liberal)

Global Affairs Canada

Chrystia Freeland (Liberal)

Iqra Khalid (Liberal)

Rob Oliphant (Liberal)

Yasir Naqvi (Liberal)

Salma Zahid (Liberal)

Sameer Zuberi (Liberal)

Arielle Kayabaga (Liberal)

Jagmeet Singh (NDP)

Heather McPherson (NDP)

Leah Gazan (NDP)

Niki Ashton (NDP)

Blake Desjarlais (NDP)

Bloc Québécois

Jonathan Pedneault (Green Party Co-Leader)

Mike Morrice (Green)

Pierre Poilièvre (Conservative Party Leader)

Olivia Chow (Toronto Mayor)

https://twitter.com/MayorOliviaChow/status/1710689716528439790

Now deleted Tweet: "I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ horrific attacks on Israeli civilians. At this time, Toronto Police are not aware of threats to Jewish communities in Toronto and are working to ensure the safety of Jewish communities in the city."

 Other Important Statements

Double standard on Mideast violence must end: CJPME

Montreal, October 7, 2023 — Like many other Canadians, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns the violence against civilians in both Israel and the occupied and besieged Gaza Strip. Hamas resistance forces entered Israel earlier today, targeting both Israeli military personnel as well as civilians. Israeli forces responded to Hamas’ attack by targeting both militant actors and civilians in indiscriminate strikes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. In Canada, CJPME is particularly troubled by the double standard evident in the immediate response from many Canadian politicians, which is quick to denounce Hamas’ actions today but remains silent on Israel’s decades of brutal military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians.

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CJPME acknowledges that our offices, located in Montreal, are on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk), whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.  CJPME recognizes the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka as the customary keepers and defenders of the St. Laurence River Watershed and its tributaries. We honour their long history of welcoming many Nations to this beautiful territory and uphold and uplift the voice and values of our Host Nation.  Further, CJPME respects and affirms the inherent and Treaty Rights of all Indigenous Peoples across this land. CJPME has and will continue to honour the commitments to self-determination and sovereignty we have made to Indigenous Nations and Peoples.  CJPME also acknowledges the historical oppression of lands, cultures and the original Peoples in what we now know as Canada and fervently believes that its work should contribute to the healing and decolonizing journey we all share together.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) 580 Sainte-Croix Ave, Suite 060, Saint-Laurent, QC,  H4L 3X5. 
©2007-2023 CJPME

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