Montreal, December 13, 2021 - Below is a letter to Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, regarding recent comments on the six Palestinian civil society organizations which have been falsely designated by Israel as “terrorist organisations.” CJPME argues that Canada must end its hesitation on this matter and act immediately to protect human rights defenders in Palestine.

To download a PDF version of the letter, click here.

Montreal, August 18, 2021: Today, a partnership of Canadian advocacy groups launched Vote Palestine: a campaign and online resource to put issues of human rights in Palestine-Israel on the agenda for the federal election. Central to the campaign is a joint platform of shared demands that civil society groups hope to see candidates take on. With these tools, Vote Palestine intends to challenge candidates to make clear commitments on foreign policy that could bring about real change for the better in the region.

Earlier this week, B’nai Brith Canada launched a smear campaign against the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), accusing the union of both supporting terrorism and aligning itself with “the path of violence and extremism.” This accusation comes amidst a CUPW decision to engage in a joint project with the Palestinian Postal Service Workers Union (PSWU), which B’nai Brith is smearing as a “pro-terrorist” organization. 

But let’s be honest, the CUPW is under attack simply for showing solidarity with Palestinians.  

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. 

Montreal, July 31, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) strongly opposes Israel’s illegal interception of a civilian boat carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip. The boat, “Al-Awda” – meaning “the return” in Arabic – was carrying 22 internationals and around 50,000 dollars’ worth of medical equipment when it was intercepted in international waters by Israeli warships on Sunday. The boat’s passengers were immediately arrested. While a few participants have been released, most of the crew and passengers – including Canadian Larry Commodore of the Stó:lo First Nation – are currently being held under unlawful detention in Israeli prison. CJPME calls on the Canadian government to facilitate the swift release of these human rights defenders and ensure the safe passage of “Al-Awda” and its aid supplies to Gaza.

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. 

CJPME Political Blog, Nov. 17, 2016: Until I looked more closely at Governor General David Johnston’s recent trip to the Middle East, I was totally oblivious to the fact that Canada funds programs to help Palestinian women. Long concerned about the plight of women in the Middle East, I was thrilled to learn that Canada funds a CARE International program to increase Palestinian women’s access to the labour force.  

This position paper contains recommendations regarding Canada’s part in the Israel-Palestinian Situation. These recommendations address Canada’s role in the negotiations between Israel and Palestine.   

The UNRWA is the caretaker human development and relief agency for Palestinian refugees. It provides educational programs, relief and social services, health programs, microenterprise and microfinance programs, and emergency relief. In January, 2010, the Canadian government announced it would curtail funding to UNRWA and redirect aid to projects in the Palestinian Authority (PA). This position paper explains why Canada’s decision will be counterproductive if it seeks to address the root causes of extremism and promote peace and stability between Israel and Palestine and provides recommendations. 

This position paper looks at the impact of the Blockade of Gaza, and proposes a list of suggestions to the Canadian government to put a term to the injustices against the Palestinians. Recommendations such as insisting with Israel to end the Blockade, stop marginalizing Hamas and clarifying its human engagement to Palestinians.