Author: Peter Larson

Mr. Baird, if you believe in the Canadian value of “fairness” why don’t you lead an all-party factfinding trip to Gaza?

baird in jerusalem

One hundred and sixteen Canadian parliamentarians, including John Baird and Stephen Harper have been to Israel since it began the blockade of Gaza. Many on trips paid for by the Israel lobby. No Canadian parliamentarian has been to Gaza in the last 3 years. I suggest Mr. Baird take some colleagues to take a look.

See my remarks to a demonstration, Sunday August 17th (more…)

Why would the Harper government refuse Ontario’s offer to help injured Palestinian children?

2011-10-14-mandy-on-doctor-abuelaish-618-408wounded child

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish (“The Gaza Doctor”) proposed that Canada bring 100 badly injured Palestinian children to Canada for urgent medical treatment. His proposal was quickly supported by Ontario hospitals, health care workers and even the Ontario government. But permission has been denied by the Harper government, saying its “too risky”. But risky for whom? Read the rest of the post here.

(more…)

Why there are so many UN refugee camps in Gaza?

rex_ed

Dr. Rex Brynen is one of Canada’s leading experts on the issue of Palestinian refugees

Last week, after yet another UN facility was bombed in Gaza, killing many civilians, I interviewed Dr. Rex Brynen. I asked him about the role of UNRWA (the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees).

Professor Brynen, of McGill University, is a Middle East specialist, and has become one of Canada’s leading experts on the issue of the Palestinian refugees. He is co-editor and contributor, with Roula El-Rifai of “The Palestinian Refugee Problem: The Search for Resolution”. London: Pluto Books, 2013.

The interview follows: (more…)

Discussing Hamas with Gazan Expatriate Samah Sabawi

Samah Sabawi

I caught up with Samah Sabawi on August 1st, 26 days into the Israeli assault on Gaza. Samah is a Canadian Palestinian with family roots in Gaza. I wanted to ask her views on the current situation in Gaza and particularly on the role Hamas is playing. She is a playwright, a policy advisor to AlShabaka and is former public advocate for Australians for Palestine. She was for many years a media spokesperson for National Council for Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) and moved in 2009 to Australia where her parents and many other members of her Palestinian family have found refuge.

My short interview with her follows.

(more…)

Canadian MP’s visit Israel on “fact finding mission”, but don’t go to Gaza

Hypocrisy or Cowardice?

John McCallum and a map of Israel Canadian politicians in Israel

Former Liberal Cabinet minister John McCallum is in Israel along with 5 other Canadian parliamentarians on a “fact finding mission”. Their activities include visiting an Israeli hospital to sympathize with injured IDF soldiers and attending a Canada-Israel solidarity event. They won’t talk to any Palestinians.

(more…)