This week we are entering the second year of Israel's genocide in Gaza, while in parallel, Israel expands its brutal assault on Lebanon. Many organizations are responding with protests and actions, and we invite you to join events (see below) going on in your area.
f you are organizing an upcoming event or demonstration, please consider submitting it on our events submission form so we can include it in future email announcements. Also consider participating in the urgent campaigns that we highlight below.
Canada fails to stop Israeli aggression
CJPME is appalled by Canada's continued failure to condemn or counter Israeli aggression as it drags the entire region into bloodshed.
Israel marked the one-year mark of October 7 by entering a new devastating stage of its genocidal attack on Gaza, ordering the displacement of 400,000 people in Northern Gaza, including hospitals. Countless videos have emerged of Israeli forces firing on civilians, including journalists. As Gaza-based human rights group Al Mezan warned, this new assault is indicative of Israel's plan for the "systematic removal or elimination of the Palestinian presence in northern Gaza." At the same time, a UN Commission has found that Israel's attacks on healthcare in Gaza amount to war crimes and the "crime against humanity of extermination."
Meanwhile, statements by the Canadian government and Parliament on the one-year mark of October 7 focused exclusively on Israeli victims, expressing solidarity with Israel while ignoring the Palestinians killed, injured, or displaced in the last year of genocidal violence. We are unaware of any date set by members of Parliament to express concern and solidarity with the Palestinian victims of Israel's subsequent genocide.
Meanwhile in Lebanon, Israel has intensified its attacks on residential areas, including bombing the city centre of Beirut, and has repeatedly and directly fired upon United Nations peacekeepers.
Also worrying are Canada's comments in support of planned Israeli attacks on Iran, which could trigger a full war. When asked if it would be "appropriate" for Israel to bomb Iran's oil production facilities, Canada's Defence Minister Bill Blair abandoned all pretense of support for international law, and said that it would be. Even more alarming are statements from Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilièvre that suggest that an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be “a gift by the Jewish state to humanity.” This flippancy in the face of a nuclear disaster reflects Poilièvre's total disconnect with the realities of the region. These statements also suggest that Canada's leaders are not serious about de-escalation but continue to support reckless Israeli aggression.
Please participate in our urgent campaigns
As we enter Year Two of Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza and watch a brutal and inhumane attack on Lebanon, please consider participating in some of the urgent campaigns cited directly below, or participate in protests listed further below:
Stop Israel's War Machine!
Last week, CJPME launched a campaign asking Canada to stop Israel’s “war machine” and end the sale of Canadian military goods and technology to Israel. Canada is turning a blind eye to Israel’s crimes, which are leading to an escalation to a full-scale regional war. Click here to add your voice! Even if you have already participated in this campaign, you can send another email: our political leaders have received thousands of emails for this campaign, and they won't realize if there's an occasional duplicate.
Reunite Palestinian-Canadians with their Families stuck in Gaza and Egypt!
CJPME recently launched a campaign highlighting how Ministers Joly and Miller have failed to ensure that Canadians reunite with their families trapped in Gaza. Minister Joly must take urgent diplomatic steps to pressure Israel to open border crossings, while Minister Miller must end the discriminatory screening process for Palestinians. Click here to send them an email to let them know we want them to reunite families! Even if you have already participated in this campaign, you can send another email: our political leaders have received thousands of emails for this campaign, and they won't realize if there's an occasional duplicate.
Demonstrations and events across Canada
Join thousands of Canadians across the country to protest Israel's genocidal violence and Canada's complicity. Please note that many different organizations are hosting these events, and CJPME lists those it is aware of. Any questions should be directed towards the event organizers. If you have events you would like to have listed, please submit them on our events submission form. The listing of events below is not an endorsement.
- Antigonish, NS, “Hands Off the Middle East”
- Corner Brook, NL, “For Palestine”
- Coquitlam, BC, “ Rally for Palestine”
- Edmonton , AB, “Rally for Palestine and Lebanon”
- Kitchener, ON, “Silent Vigil for Gaza”
- Montreal (Parc Jarry), QC, “Basketball fundraiser for Palestine”
- Montreal (Guy-Concordia), QC, “Montreal Protest”
- Montreal (Dorchester Sq), QC “Hands off the MiddleEast”
- Montreal (Dawson College), QC “International Fundraiser; The people stand with Gaza”
- Regina, SK, “Tell CPP to divest from genocide”.
- Saskatoon, SK, “CJPME Saskatoon weekly rally and march”
- Toronto, ON “Doc Therapy, Free Palestine Edition”
- Vancouver, BC, “Nanaimo March 4 Palestine”
- Victoria, BC, “Stand Up for Palestine and Lebanon”
- Windsor, ON, “Where the Olive Trees Weep”