As Prime Minister-elect Trudeau is at work deciding who will be in his cabinet, his key staff will also be drafting “mandate letters’ which give new ministers instructions on what the PM expects them to do in their portfolios. In an open letter, I make a number of suggestions with respect to the Israel/Palestine issue. See my letter.
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Israel Lobby demonstrates its clout on Parliament Hill

The Canadian Parliament has 308 members. About 40 participated in a special “take note” debate on the “world wide rise in antisemitism” on February 24th orchestrated by MP’s Irwin Cotler and Jason Kenney.
The Canadian House of Commons held a special 3 ½ hour late night debate on Tuesday, February 24th focusing on “the troubling rise in antisemitism around the world”, winding up with a unanimous resolution of condemnation. The debate was proposed by Liberal MP Irwin Cotler and Conservative Minister Jason Kenney, supported by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the main Israel lobby group. What was the real objective of the debate and how important was it? (more…)
Will Baird’s resignation make a difference in Canada’s policy toward Israel/Palestine?
Who is Jeff Halper? And why is he visiting 12 Canadian cities in the dead of winter?
LEFT: HALPER being arrested as he resists the demolition of a Palestinian family’s house. RIGHT: Dr. Halper is the founder and co-director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. He is on a cross Canada tour talking about his work and about the prospects for a just solution to the Israel/Palestine issue. He will be visiting 12 cities. On the eve of his departure for Canada, I asked him a few personal questions. Photos: ICAHD – UK
Ottawa Jewish Community wrestles with its attitude towards Israel
Montreal author Joseph Rosen moderates thoughtful discussion
For weeks, war has been raging in esteemed publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post. “At heart, the issue boils down to the question: is Liberal Zionism dead?” – Asher Schecter, August 29th, Ha’aretz