Montreal, August 14, 2023 — Quebeckers are expressing their outrage over a recent announcement that the Quebec government will be opening a trade office in Israel, despite credible accusations that the Israeli government is imposing a regime of apartheid on Palestinians. Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Martine Biron, made the announcement on August 3 that Quebec would be opening an office in Tel Aviv to build trade relations with Israel, and that it would cost half a million dollars in its first year. Montreal-based Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is urging the Quebec government to reverse its decision to open a trade office, which suggests that the province is indifferent to Israel’s abysmal human rights record.

Montreal, August 3, 2023 - CJPME Statement: Today’s announcement that Quebec will establish an office in Tel Aviv is deeply out of touch with events on the ground and significantly undermines Quebec’s stated support for Palestinian self-determination.