Nearly two dozen Canadian parliamentarians joined with an estimated 350 Palestinian Canadians and their allies to celebrate the tenth annual “Parliament Day on the Hill” in Ottawa on May 25th.

“Root to Justice,” was the chosen theme for this year’s Palestine Day on the Hill an annual event organized by the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians (APAC) in Ottawa to raise the issue of Palestine among Canadian Parliamentarians.

In his welcoming remarks to the assembled parliamentarians and other decision makers, APAC President Waleed Ibrahim reminded the audience that “when Prime Minister Carney spoke at Davos his words resonated not just in Canada, but globally, because he acknowledged the uncomfortable truth that the rules in our multilateral system have too often been applied unevenly. Nowhere is that clearer than in Palestine” 

Ibrahim also noted that this year is particularly significant as APAC marks the 10th anniversary of the event and the first time it is being held since Canada officially recognized Palestine.

“Recognition of Palestine was an important step”, he acknowledged, “but it must now be followed by meaningful action consistent with international law, human rights and basic values of justice and equality.”

Among the political speakers were cabinet member Hon. Shafaq Ali, President of Treasury Board Canada, Mario Boilieu, representing the Bloc quebecois, and newly chosen NDP head Avi Lewis. Lewis’s presentation as a Jewish anti-zionist, drew a standing ovation. He told the crowd that he is encouraged that most Canadian Jews are concerned about Israel’s comportment and are gradually “making the journey” from Zionist to anti-Zionist.

Palestine Day on the Hill also featured Mouin Rabbani as a keynote speaker. Rabbani has published and commented widely on Palestinian affairs and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is Co-Editor of Jadaliyya Ezine. His parents are Palestinian refugees.

Among the many guests were Senators Yuen-Pau Woo, and Mohammad Al Zaibak. Diplomatic guests included His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano, Albassador of Spain to Canada. Spain has emerged as one of the most prominent European critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, consistently calling for humanitarian protections and establishing itself as an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights. It also included

The event took place under the patronage of MP Salma Zahid, chair of the Canada Palestine Parliamentary Caucus.

Canada Talks Israel Palestine is the biweekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion ababout the Israel/Palestine issue from a Canadian perspective. Readers are invited to make comment. To get on our regular mailing list, or for more information write: ofip.chair@gmail.com