Flora MacDonald: Canadian stateswoman and friend of the peoples of the Middle East

flora-macdonald

Flora MacDonald, who passed away this week, has been appropriately remembered as a female political pioneer in Canada. Less well known, however, is that she also had a ‘real love and fascination for the Middle East and all of its people’, in the words of Michel de Salaberry, a former Canadian Ambassador and someone who worked closely with her over many years. I asked Mr. de Salaberry to write a few words about Ms. MacDonald’s involvement in the Middle East, including Palestine. See his text below. (more…)

NDP cautiously differentiates itself from Tories and Grits on Palestinian human rights

dewar to nicholson on Susyia

As a federal election looms, Thomas Mulcair and Paul Dewar have taken positions on human rights for Palestinians in the last few weeks that differentiate them from both the Harper Conservatives and the Trudeau Liberals. Their statements are cautious, but positive. They will no doubt attract fierce criticism from the Israel lobby. More. (more…)

United Church calls for Canadians to defend Palestinians from expulsions

westbankabclarge

The Oslo accords divided the West Bank into 3 areas (A, B, and C). The largest part, Area C (in light green) is lightly populated and under full Israeli military control. Israeli settlers are now moving in, expelling the Palestinian peasants who live there, forcing them into areas A and B. The United Church of Canada has launched an urgent appeal in support of one village located in the far south of the West Bank.  more (more…)