A strong article in “The Monitor” – the flagship journal of a respected Canadian thinktank with offices across Canada and supported by many labour unions, has called for an end to the Canada-Israel free trade agreement (CIFTA). In the article, authors Stuart Trew and Stephan Tristof, cite Israeli apartheid and flouting of international law as the main reasons. Read more.

Last fall, Scotiabank, one of Canada’s largest banks, was reported by Bloomberg to have become a major shareholder in Elbit Systems, Israel’s premier defense contractor. At a shareholders meeting in early April, a representative of the ethical investing activist group Eko delivered a petition on behalf of 12,000 signatories calling on Scotiabank to divest from the firm.

Ongoing and intensifying repression of Palestinians in the West Bank is pushing Canadian churches to reconsider their attitude toward the Israel/Palestine conflict. A major conference will be held at St. Paul University in Ottawa on April 27th. Read more. (Photo: Catholic register).

Over a year ago, Human Rights Watch released a 213-page report, “A Threshold Crossed,” finding that Israeli authorities are committing the crime against humanity of apartheid. It was followed by a similar substantial reports from Amnesty International, B’Tselem and other organizations. The Canadian government says it “does not agree” without giving any reasons. It appears to be embarassed by accusations against Israel which it describes as a friend and ally. Read more…