Israel

“Israeli Apartheid” entering Canadian consciousness: Ekos Survey
More than one-quarter of all Canadians feel that Israel is practicing a regime “similar to apartheid” according to a recent poll by Ekos Research Associates. It also seems that younger Canadians are even more willing to use the “apartheid” label than are their babyboomer seniors. See our interview with Michael Bueckert, Vice President of CJPME and author of the report.
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“Israelism” to be screened at Carleton University September 21

A new documentary called “Israelism”, questions the relationship between American Jews and the State of Israel. Featuring interviews with prominent thinkers like Jeremy Ben Ami, Noam Chomsky, and Cornel West, this timely film investigates a generational divide impacting this community. Free screening at Carleton University, Thursday, September 21. See our interview with Prof. Mira Sucharov, one of the local organizers.

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Minister Joly is concerned over threats to the “rule of law” in Israel: but she should take a closer look at its existing practices

Last March, Canada’s foreign affairs minister Mme Melanie Joly assured Canadians she had pushed Israel to drop its planned reform of the judiciary, underscoring Canada’s support for the “rule of law”. But the case of Shadi Khouri, a 16 year old Palestinian in Jerusalem should raise questions about the ‘rule of law‘in Israel even before the proposed reforms. Read more…

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Canadian Jews debate democracy and the future of Israel

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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Europeans meet Palestinian victims in Huwara and condemn illegal settlements as the source of the violence in West Bank. Canada attends, but avoids signing joint press release

NOTE: David da Silva, Canada’s representative to the Palestinian Authority joined the meeting in Huwara along with other diplomats. Good.

But it appears his bosses in Ottawa wouldn’t allow him to sign the joint declaration which clearly said “settler violence is a result of Israels continued settlement activity.” da Silva’s tweet was good, but less clear about who was responsible.

What remains unclear is whether Canada or ANY of those signing the joint press release will take any action against Israel or whether the condemnations will remain devoid of consequence.

Canada Talks Israel Palestine (CTIP) is the weekly newsletter of Peter Larson, Chair of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion in Canada about Canada’s response to the complicated and emotional Israel/Palestine issue with a focus on the truth, clear analysis and human rights for all. Readers with different points of view are invited to make comment.

Want to learn more about us? Go to Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine