Canada’s Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney recently told a United Nations Assembly that Canada would show “zero tolerance’ towards the movement to boycott Israel. What does that mean? Mr. Blaney and Mr. Harper seem to think that criticizing Israel should be made illegal in Canada. Not everyone agrees. See more. (more…)
Senior UN official Chris Gunness was sharply critical of the Canadian government this week over its refusal to give humanitarian aid to starving Palestinian refugees trapped in Yarmouk, Syria. Read more.
Khalida Jarrar, elected member of the Palestinian parliament, feminist, and board member of the Palestinian Prisoner Rights organization, ADDAMEER, met our Canadian delegation in November 2014. Two days ago, she was arrested by the IDF for defying a military order to remain in Jericho. A defense campaign has been launched. Learn more.
Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is frequently seen on TV as the spokesperson for the Canadian Jewish community. He is ranked as one of the country’s 100 most effective lobbyists by the Hill Times. But some Canadian Jews are uncomfortable with CIJA’s strong pro-Harper, pro Netanyahu politics. One Jewish group has even circulated a public petition inviting Fogel to participate in a discussion on the campaign to boycott Israel (BDS). No response so far…
Well known Israeli journalist Gideon Levy was in Ottawa on March 23rd, part of a Canada-wide tour organized by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME). “Life is too good in Israel,” he said. “Israelis have no reason to change their ways. Change will have to be imposed by the democratic world.” Learn more about the event and watch my 4 minute exclusive interview with Levy.
Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 