Why there are so many UN refugee camps in Gaza?

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Dr. Rex Brynen is one of Canada’s leading experts on the issue of Palestinian refugees

Last week, after yet another UN facility was bombed in Gaza, killing many civilians, I interviewed Dr. Rex Brynen. I asked him about the role of UNRWA (the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees).

Professor Brynen, of McGill University, is a Middle East specialist, and has become one of Canada’s leading experts on the issue of the Palestinian refugees. He is co-editor and contributor, with Roula El-Rifai of “The Palestinian Refugee Problem: The Search for Resolution”. London: Pluto Books, 2013.

The interview follows: (more…)

Discussing Hamas with Gazan Expatriate Samah Sabawi

Samah Sabawi

I caught up with Samah Sabawi on August 1st, 26 days into the Israeli assault on Gaza. Samah is a Canadian Palestinian with family roots in Gaza. I wanted to ask her views on the current situation in Gaza and particularly on the role Hamas is playing. She is a playwright, a policy advisor to AlShabaka and is former public advocate for Australians for Palestine. She was for many years a media spokesperson for National Council for Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) and moved in 2009 to Australia where her parents and many other members of her Palestinian family have found refuge.

My short interview with her follows.

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Canadian MP’s visit Israel on “fact finding mission”, but don’t go to Gaza

Hypocrisy or Cowardice?

John McCallum and a map of Israel Canadian politicians in Israel

Former Liberal Cabinet minister John McCallum is in Israel along with 5 other Canadian parliamentarians on a “fact finding mission”. Their activities include visiting an Israeli hospital to sympathize with injured IDF soldiers and attending a Canada-Israel solidarity event. They won’t talk to any Palestinians.

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Israeli newspaper outlines Palestinian demands

Does Baird even know what they are?

Benjamin Netanyahu John Baird

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird has been actively supporting the “unconditional” ceasefire proposed by Netanyahu and backed by Egypt. While it appears “humanitarian”, an unconditional ceasefire would mean going back to the status quo before the recent hostilities and continuing Israel’s punishing blockade of Gaza. But has Baird even considered what the Palestinians are asking for? It’s actually quite reasonable. (more…)

Is the “all party consensus” on Israel starting to show signs of weakness?

Garneau and Baird

A few months ago, Justin Trudeau assured Jewish voters in a private video that he had “Israel’s back” and assured them that that there is an “all party consensus” on Parliament Hill on this question.

It has certainly looked that way. At a time when our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister show “over the top” support for Israel, it is remarkable that none of the other parties has made any significant effort to distance themselves from his views. Even more remarkable, given that a recent poll shows that Canadians are in fact split on Israel/Palestine.

However there are some recent (feeble) signs that all 3 of the opposition parties are under some pressure to revise their positions toward a more balanced position.
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