Institutions – Religious & Educational

Does Harper want to criminalize criticism of Israel? Canadian civil society issues a warning

steven blaney at un

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…)

“Change will have to be imposed on Israel from the outside”: Gideon Levy

GIDEON LEVY IN OTTAWA

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.

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Christian Zionism to be challenged by religious leaders in Vancouver conference

pentecostalfaithtabernacle

Pentecostals are one of several evangelical groups in Canada which strongly support Israel based on their belief in Christian Zionism. According to Robert Assaly, an Anglican priest, Christian Zionism also has a hold in many of the “mainline” churches. He is organizing a conference to discuss it. Learn more here.

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Report from Kairos Conference in Bethlehem: an interview with Father Robert Assaly

robert assaly head shot

The Rev. Robert Assaly was ordained an Anglican priest 23 years ago in Ottawa. In 1992 he was sent to be the Director of the Middle East Council of Churches’ Jerusalem office. While there he was appointed Anglican Vicar of Gaza, returning to Canada after three years. He has been a member of the Church’s Middle East Working Group since the late-80s, and is Chair of Canadian Friends of Sabeel (CFOS). I interviewed him after his return from the Kairos Conference in Bethlehem, held in December 2014.

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