Khalida Jarrar, elected member of the Palestinian parliament, feminist, and board member of the Palestinian Prisoner Rights organization, ADDAMEER, met our Canadian delegation in November 2014. Two days ago, she was arrested by the IDF for defying a military order to remain in Jericho. A defense campaign has been launched. Learn more.
Michael Shenstone joined External Affairs in 1952 and within a year, was sent off to Lebanon to learn Arabic. He eventually rose to be Canadian ambassador to several mid-east countries. He retired from the foreign service 40 years later. He continues to be a strong advocate for fairness towards the Palestinians and for balance in Canada’s relations with Israel and the Arab world. “A stance”, he notes wryly, “that, until recently, was central to Canada’s policy.” – Read my interview here. (more…)
Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is frequently seen on TV as the spokesperson for the Canadian Jewish community. He is ranked as one of the country’s 100 most effective lobbyists by the Hill Times. But some Canadian Jews are uncomfortable with CIJA’s strong pro-Harper, pro Netanyahu politics. One Jewish group has even circulated a public petition inviting Fogel to participate in a discussion on the campaign to boycott Israel (BDS). No response so far…
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.
Jaffa 1948. Thousands of Palestinian homes were destroyed by the Jewish Irgun militia starting in 1947, well before the declaration of the State of Israel. This was just the start of 65 years of destruction. To learn more, you are invited to join in a free, web-based seminar…. (more…)
Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 