Last fall, Scotiabank, one of Canada’s largest banks, was reported by Bloomberg to have become a major shareholder in Elbit Systems, Israel’s premier defense contractor. At a shareholders meeting in early April, a representative of the ethical investing activist group Eko delivered a petition on behalf of 12,000 signatories calling on Scotiabank to divest from the firm.
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Ongoing and intensifying repression of Palestinians in the West Bank is pushing Canadian churches to reconsider their attitude toward the Israel/Palestine conflict. A major conference will be held at St. Paul University in Ottawa on April 27th. Read more. (Photo: Catholic register).
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Over a year ago, Human Rights Watch released a 213-page report, “A Threshold Crossed,” finding that Israeli authorities are committing the crime against humanity of apartheid. It was followed by a similar substantial reports from Amnesty International, B’Tselem and other organizations. The Canadian government says it “does not agree” without giving any reasons. It appears to be embarassed by accusations against Israel which it describes as a friend and ally. Read more…
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The images were shocking. Israeli soldiers armed with stun grenades, tear gas, batons and rifles) attacking Palestinian worshippers INSIDE the Al Aqsa Mosque. Prime Minister Trudeau made a statement indicating concern about the “violence around the Al Aqsa Mosque’. Neutral. non-judgemental. But what might he have said if the tables had been turned? Read more…
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An unprecedented public debate has broken out among Canadian Jews about the ongoing protests in Israel and the role of various Jewish organizations in Canada. A lot of the fire has been aimed at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs for attempting to stifle criticism of the right wing and anti-democratic agenda of the current Israeli government. A few of the critics have even raised the issue of equal rights for Palestinians. Read more.
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Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 