Statehood

Israel sees BDS as a strategic threat: Patrick Martin, Globe and Mail

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Globe and Mail Middle East Bureau Chief Patrick Martin told an Ottawa meeting that he was neither in favour of nor opposed to BDS, the international movement to boycott Israel. But in his presentation, he explained why he thinks Israel sees BDS as a “strategic threat”.  He also explained, somewhat ominously, what Israel might thinking of doing about it. Read more. (more…)

Campus Roundup: A review of this month’s Israel/Palestine activities on campuses across Canada

 

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McGill University is one of many Canadian university campuses where debate took place last month over the Israel/Palestine conflict. Organizations defending Palestinian human rights are more active than ever across the country. So, also are various pro-Israeli organizations. The debate is intense. Read more.

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Finkelstein in Ottawa: Powerful, principled… and very provocative

 

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US scholar and human rights activist Norman Finkelstein was in Ottawa this week as part of a 3 city speaking tour organized by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME). His powerful presentation was thought-provoking. He had strong words for human rights activists who have unrealistic objectives, and strong criticisms of the Palestinian Authority and the BDS movement itself. Read more (more…)

An unusual act for a democracy – Israeli Knesset suspends 3 Arab members. I ask Minister Dion to investigate

 

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The Ethics Committee of the Israeli Knesset has suspended 3 Arab Members of Knesset (MK). That is very unusual in a democracy. Two of them have visited Canada in the last several years. Why were they suspended?  What does it say about Israeli democracy? I ask Hon. Stéphane Dion to investigate. Read my letter.  (more…)