Archived Articles for January 2009

January 30, 2009

NECEF letter to Canadian Jewish Congress regarding their slanderous accusations

We therefore call on you to issue a strong public apology for these vile expressions of defamation and hatred, and against all forms of racism and incitement specifically including anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim propaganda. We furthermore expect that this slander will be removed immediately from your website. We have thus issued this as a public letter and will not hesitate to report this to the RCMP hate crimes division.

Letter from Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and Moderator of The United Church of Canada to Stephen Harper requesting an investigation of Israeli bombing of Gaza Health Centre built with Canadian funds. [Readers please note that the Canadian media reports the opinions of the Canadian Jewish Congress on a daily basis but as of January 30th had not seen fit to report this statement by two of the largest churches in Canada.]

January 21, 2009

Yahoo News - Arab leaders criticize Canada's support of Israel

[Comment: Normally I would find it objectionable for diplomats to publicly opine on the policies of their host county but since Israeli Ambassadors and consuls do so on a regular basis in this case a little balance is much overdue.  What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Background and more background ]

OTTAWA (AFP) – Arab ambassadors have complained to Canada's top diplomat about his "unbalanced" Mideast policies, which they said Friday favor Israel and disregard the plight of Palestinians.

"We've encouraged Canada to take a more balanced position, which takes into account the realities on the ground and does not side with one party," Amin Abou-Hassira, the Palestinian Authority's representative in Ottawa, told AFP.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government, since its election in 2006, has been unabashedly pro-Israel.

January 18, 2009

Canada.com - Gaza ceasefire supporters occupy Ont. MP's offices

LONDON, Ont. - Activists staged a "flash mob action" inside and outside the office of London West MP Ed Holder Friday, demanding he take action to support a ceasefire in Gaza. ....

Similar actions against Canada's stand on the ceasefire recently have been staged in Montreal and in Toronto.

"Thousands of people in London have been crying out for justice for Gaza," protester Beth Guthrie said in a news release. "But our government has been ignoring Canadians and ignoring international law."

January 17, 2009

Letter from Jack Layton in response to e-mails regarding Gaza.

This may be a first. Jack Layton condemns the "escalation of violence" in the M-E in this order: " We have called upon the Harper government to demonstrate leadership and push for an immediate end to the aerial bombing of Gaza, the blockade of aid to civilians, and the indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel." In the past Jack Layton has always refrained from making personal pronouncements on Palestine, preferring to leave that to other members of the party.

Canadian Islamic Congress Condemns Canada's negative UN vote on Gaza - Harper government's inaction "shameful"

The Canadian Islamic Congress today added its voice to growing protests over Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision on Monday to have Canada vote against a United Nations resolution condemning Israel's atrocities in Gaza.

TorStar - Canada votes alone for Israel
Canada stood alone before a United Nations human rights council yesterday, the only one among 47 nations to oppose a motion condemning the Israeli military offensive in Gaza.

National Post - Rallies incited hatred, says Jewish group

Police should investigate potentially criminal behaviour at several rallies held across Canada to protest the ongoing violence in Gaza because they incited hatred and violence, the Canadian Jewish Congress said yesterday.

Bernie Farber, chief executive officer of the group, said his members have been upset by slogans, signs and shouting at demonstrations in Calgary, Montreal and Toronto following Israel's offensive on Hamas that began on Dec. 27.
[Boo hoo - 1000 Palestinians dead, 5,000 wounded and we are supposed to be concerned about the FEELINGS of certain members of the Jewish community. This is just another attempt by the CJC - an organization that incessantly demonizes Palestinians, Arabs and Muslim - to shut down freedom of speech in Canada. See reaction of Independent Jewish Voices to CJC statement below.]]

Toronto – Activists and concerned community members are voicing outrage that, in the context of an ongoing Israeli military assault which has killed more than 900 Palestinians, wounded more than 4,000 and destroyed essential civilian infrastructure in the already devastated Gaza Strip, the Canadian Jewish Congress is seeking to smear those who have protested these atrocities.

Israel's Media Manipulation Machine

The Guardian UK - Special spin body gets media on message, says Israel

Israel believes its has won broad international support in the media for its actions in Gaza thanks to its PR strategy, which through a new body has for months been concerned with formulating plans and role-playing to ensure that government officials deliver a clear, unified message to the world's press.

The body, known as the National Information Directorate, was set up eight months ago following recommendations from an Israeli inquiry into the 2006 Lebanon war. Its role is to deal with hasbara - meaning, in Hebrew, "explanation", and referring variously to information, spin, and propaganda.

Peace advocates occupy conservative MP's office demanding action on Gaza war crimes
Four peace advocates in London, Ontario are at the office of London West
Conservative MP Ed Holder demanding immediate action from the Canadian government to denounce the continuing massacre in Gaza.

January 13, 2009

Toronto Star - Canada votes alone for Israel

OTTAWA–Canada stood alone before a United Nations human rights council yesterday, the only one among 47 nations to oppose a motion condemning the Israeli military offensive in Gaza.

CLICK HERE TO WRITE TO YOUR MP

January 12, 2009

Speak out for peace in Gaza: Sign Amnesty's Open Letter to the Government of Canada to take action

We are writing this open letter to you to urge that the Canadian government immediately, forcefully and unequivocally press Israeli authorities, the Hamas de-facto administration and all other Palestinian armed groups to stop all unlawful attacks and to comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Letter from PSAC to the PM of Canada on Israeli attack on Gaza

Your government's unconditional support for the proposition that the massive eleven day assault on Gaza and its civilian population by Israel is justifiable “self defense” ignores the reality that, by any reasonable measure, the assault is disproportionate in the extreme.

Letter to Stephen Harper regarding attack on Gaza signed by 9 London Ontario organizations

As representatives of a number of community organizations in London, Ontario, we are writing you to protest your government's silence in the face of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza.....

According to many human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Al-Haq and B'Tselem, many of the Israeli military attacks have targeted civilian homes and institutions, such as mosques, schools, universities, police stations and prisons. Under international and Canadian law, these attacks, and the resulting civilian causalities, constitute war crimes.

Speech from Ottawa Demonstration for Gaza - To Stephen Harper, The Right Honourable Prime Minister of Canada

We need for you to acknowledge that fact that you represent all Canadians. All Canadians Mr. Prime Minister – including Arab Canadians, Palestinian Canadians and Canadians who hunger for justice and for peace. We are waiting to hear from you words of condolences as we grief over the loss of loved ones.

January 8, 2009

Toronto Star - Ignatieff says Israel must be allowed to defend itself

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says Israel is justified in taking military action to defend itself against attacks by Hamas from the Gaza Strip."Canada has to support the right of a democratic country to defend itself," he told reporters in Halifax today after speaking to a forum of business leaders on the economy."Israel has been attacked from Gaza, not just last year, but for almost 10 years. They evacuated from Gaza so there is no occupation in Gaza."

[COMMENT - At this point this Wannabee Liberal is no more. There is no hope that the remaining voices of reason within the party can have any influence over the Zionists. If MPs such as Borys Wrzesnewskyj and Mark Holland who have supported Human Rights and International Law over the Apartheid state will not resign from the Liberal party immediately, then they have no integrity and do not deserve the support of from their constituents.

This writer has it from a reliable source that Liberal MPs have been told that if they speak at Gaza solidarity events, their nomination papers would not be signed. Why would an MPs with a conscience want to be members of a party that prevents them from speaking against genocide? Are they any better than those who for whatever misguided reason truly believe that Israel is justified?

Silence is complicity and MPs that do not stand up against the Gaza massacre do not merit our support. A vote for them is a vote for the Liberal Genocide party.

How long will Zionist money be able to buy votes. Makes you wonder if Ignatieff is actually seeking defeat. Read on.... ]

Over 300 Canadian Academics Condemn Israeli Attack on Gaza View letter to Stephen Harper and signatures

Montrealers lay siege to Israeli Consulate

Early Thursday, January 8th Montrealers blockaded the Israeli Consulate in Montreal in protest against the on-going Israeli assault on the people of Gaza...

"The Conservative government should expel all Israeli Consular officials from Canada, as other countries have done," said Amanda Dorter. "Until Ottawa ends its support for Israel we will continue to disrupt the workings of Israeli-Canadian cooperation."

Jewish Women Occupy Israeli Consulate in Toronto

A diverse group of Jewish Canadian women are currently occupying the Israeli consulate at 180 Bloor Street West in Toronto. This action is in protest against the on-going Israeli assault on the people of Gaza.

Canada.com - Canadian Jews condemn Gaza attack
TORONTO - Physicist Ursula Franklin and pianist Anton Kuerti were among a group of Jewish Canadians speaking out against Israel Thursday morning.

The group said the bombing of the Palestinian population in Gaza was a "horrendous" assault and they called for an immediate ceasefire and a lifting of the blockade of Gaza.

"Israel's behaviour makes me ashamed of being a Jew and Canada's servile support of the United States' position that it is all Hamas's fault makes me ashamed of being a Canadian," Kuerti said.

January 6, 2009

Reuters - Hamas responsible for deadly Gaza attack: Canada
The Canadian government blamed the Palestinian militant group Hamas for the deaths of more than 40 civilians who were killed by Israeli shells on Tuesday in some of the most hard-line comments by any leading western nation on the deadly incident.

Linda MacQuaig - Facilitating a turkey shoot
On Israel's 60th anniversary last April, Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised Canada's "unshakable" support for Israel.

At the time, this struck me as odd. It would be understandable for a prime minister to offer Canada's "unshakable" support for principles – democracy, the rule of law, human rights, etc. But for a country? A country is led by a government, and a government is always fallible. Why would Canada promise its unqualified support for any country?

Justin Podur - This kind of war
The current crisis in Gaza began with Israel's breaking the ceasefire with Hamas on November 4, 2008. The five-month ceasefire was unsustainable for two reasons. First and most importantly, because it condemned the Palestinians of Gaza to a slow and wasting death: part of the ceasefire was the continuation of Israel's blockade of Gaza. As part of this blockade, Palestinians could not leave the territory. This included, in high-profile cases, students who had obtained admission and visas to study abroad, but also people who later died because they could not receive treatment for cancers and other medical problems.

YayaCanada - Open Letter from Cdn Jewish Youth denouncing Israeli attack on Gaza
Like much of the world, we have spent the last week watching in shock and disgust as Israel continues its assault on the Gaza Strip. With the body count rising and a new tragedy in full bloom, we feel that it is important to speak out as Jewish youth in Canada and to denounce what Israel is doing in our name.

World Vision - Letter to Stephen Harper

World Vision has consistently called for all sides to refrain from violence. Moreover, we have called for an end to the 18 month blockade of 1.5 million Palestinians, which has devastated the Gazan economy, halted services, and rendered its people to be entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance. The current bombardment comes at a time when the Gazan population is already severely afflicted, living in dire poverty.

The Guardian UK - How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe
Oxford professor of international relations Avi Shlaim served in the Israeli army and has never questioned the state's legitimacy. But its merciless assault on Gaza has led him to devastating conclusions

January 1, 2009

Statement by Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition, on the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip
The Liberal Party of Canada unequivocally condemns the rocket attacks launched by Hamas against Israeli civilians and calls for an immediate end to these attacks. We affirm Israel's right to defend itself against such attacks, and also its right to exist in peace and security.

[There is not one word in this statement urging Israel to stop its indiscrimate bombing of police stations, Mosques, apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure nor does the Liberal party take this opportunity to criticize the Harper government's statement. The NDP statement on the other hand refers to " The continuing airstrikes by Israel on civilians in the Gaza strip" and calls on " the Government of Canada to immediately call for an end to the aerial bombing of Gaza, the blockade of aid to civilians and the indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel." The Green Party also acknowledges the severe situation in Gaza and refreshingly, proposes a plan for action to solve the problem. ]

New Democrat statement on the situation in the Middle East

Canada's New Democrats condemn the unacceptable escalation of violence in the Middle East causing death and injury to so many civilians in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Green Party Calls For U.N Buffer Zone and Stabilization Plan in Gaza

Stage One of a Gaza Area Stabilization Plan would include:....

The deployment of U.N. Peace-Making forces within a Neutral Buffer Zone who assume the responsibility for ending missile attacks on Israel using a combination of political, policing and technical means and methods.

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