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 15, 2018 —Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns Israel’s shooting of London, ON based doctor Tarek Loubani, shot while attending the wounded in Gaza.  Despite being clearly identified as a first responder, Loubani sustained a moderate injury to his left leg, and a minor injury to his right leg.  A friend and colleague of Loubani’s, paramedic Musa Abuhassanin was killed, along with at least 54 other Palestinians in Gaza yesterday.   

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. 

Montreal, March 13, 2014  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) condemns the recent escalation of cross-border violence between Israel and the militant group Islamic Jihad, operating in Gaza.  CJPME also condemns the Canadian government’s lop-sided response to the escalation. The Harper government condemned the rocket attacks from Gaza, but ignored Israel’s role – beginning on Tuesday – in the current surge of violence.  “On what basis does the Harper government condemn one act, and condone another,” says CJPME President Thomas Woodley. Canada has thus far also failed to critique Israeli airstrikes in Gaza conducted late Wednesday.  CJPME urges the Canadian government and Canadian MPs to press both Israel and Islamic Jihad to respect the cease-fire.

CJPME Factsheet 144, published March, 2012: This factsheet provide context and background for an exhibition which CJPME tours entitled, “A Child's View from Gaza: An exhibition of children’s drawings from Gaza.”  The inspiration behind the exhibition, as well as the mechanics of the bringing together of the exhbition are described.

CJPME Factsheet 149, published March, 2012: This factsheet lays out the devastating impact of war on children in Gaza, showing the degree to which Gaza children are exposed to war, and the psychological impact it has on them, both short-term and long-term.

CJPME Factsheet 107, published December, 2010: In June 2010, following intense international pressure, Israel announced measures to ease its illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, the resulting “loosening” has changed very little for Gazans. Today, according to international monitors, Israel still restricts the entry of many goods into Gaza, such as construction and raw materials, and industrial machinery. Israel also continues to enforce restrictions on the movement of people and exports from the strip. These restrictions perpetuate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

CJPME Factsheet 88, published June, 2010: From June, 2007, until June 2010, Israel and Egypt imposed an extremely harsh blockade on Gaza after Hamas, an Islamist political party with an armed wing, took control of Gaza in June, 2007. Following Israel’s attack on a Gaza aid flotilla on May 31, 2010, and the international condemnation that resulted, Israel started to take steps to loosen the blockade. This factsheet looks at the justifications offered by Egypt and Israel for blockading Gaza, how they enforce it, what products are allowed and not allowed into the strip, and what are the most salient social and health impacts of the blockade.

CJPME Factsheet 87, published June, 2010: This factsheet looks at the illegality of the Israeli blockade of Gaza. While the Israeli government argues its blockade of Gaza is legal, the opposite is true under the laws of war. To date, several neutral international organizations have condemned the blockade on grounds that it amounts to collective punishment and in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law. This factsheet also provides an overview of the several alternatives (other than a blockade) that can address Israel’s security concerns.

CJPME Factsheet 069, published November, 2009: During Israel's War on Gaza between Dec. 26, 2008, and mid-January, 2009, Israel shot and killed several Palestinian civilians waving white flags as they sought to move to safety during the conflict.  This factsheet summarizes Human Rights Watch's findings and recommendations concerning these incidents.