“Is it possible to love Israel and still feel solidarity with Palestinians?”, asks Canadian professor

Carleton University professor Mira Sucharov has raised a challenging question for Jews who believe strongly in equality and human rights for Palestinians. Is it possible, she asks to “love” Israel and be committed to Palestinian solidarity at the same time? Though directed at Jews, her question also challenges Palestinians to imagine a new and different Israel/Palestine where Jews and Palestinians can live together in equality. Read more….

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“Israel has launched an unprecedented wave of repression against own Palestinian citizens” according to Mossawa Centre in Haifa

As soon as the truce was signed with Hamas, Israel launched an unprecedented wave of repression across Israel, targeting its Palestinian citizens who had been demonstrating in support of those facing expulsions at Sheikh Jarrah or against the bombing of Gaza. Over 2000 have been arrested, according to Suha Mousa, Executive Director of Mossawa, the Advocacy Centre for Palestinian citizens of Israel. Read more and watch the interview…..

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Canadian Muslims add their voices to the growing demand that Canada act to protect human rights of Palestinians

The National Council of Canadian Muslims recently wrote an “open letter” to the Prime Minister regarding Canada’s weak stance with respect to Israel’s repeated attacks on Palestinians. There are an estimated three quarters of a million Muslims in Canada but up to now, they have not been very active in defense of Palestinians. Israel’s most recent attacks seem to have changed that. Read more.

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“Torture of Palestinian detainees, including children, is rampant”: Israeli human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel

Israeli human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel is the subject of “Advocate” a film about her determined efforts to defend Palestinians caught up in the nightmare of Israel’s justice system. On May 24th, OFIP interviewed Ms. Tsemel about her work. By coincidence the webinar took place just as Israel was starting mass arrests of Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and inside Israel itself. She described the unfairness of the Israeli system. “Torture is rampant”, she told OFIP viewers. Read more and watch the interview...

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Mr. Garneau, expressions of “grave concern” are not enough. Please – just go ahead and implement Canada’s existing policy on Israel/Palestine: CTIP guest columnist

In a press release regarding the current flare up between Israel and the Palestinians, Global Affairs Minister Garneau expressed his “grave concern”. CTIP reader Don Parkinson reader has sent an open letter to the minister arguing that his grave concern is not very helpful. What could be helpful, he argues, would be for Canada to actually apply its existing policy. Read more…..

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