Archived Articles for March 2007

March 30, 2007

News Release - NCCAR dismayed by the Government's rejectionist attitude towards the Palestinian  Unity Government

The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is dismayed by the Canadian Government's unchanged policy towards the new Palestinian Government. Its refusal to meet with the Minister of Information, Mustafa Barghouti, an independent, who was in Ottawa this past week, indicates a lack of understanding of recent developments in the Middle East , overlooking the Mecca Agreement and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

March 29, 2007

Canadian government snubs Palestinian minister

The only member of the new Palestinian unity government to visit Ottawa since the Canadian government cut aid and diplomatic ties last year was shunned by government officials Wednesday.

Members of the opposition parties did meet with Mustafa al-Barghuti. Even Condoleezza Rice met with non Hamas members of the new Palestinian government. Mustafa al-Barghuti is not a member of Hamas.)

March 26, 2007

Norway, Sweden, Italy, Russia and the US end their boycott of the Palestinian government.

In Canada, NOT A WORD FROM THE HARPER government or any of the opposition parties for that matter.

March 24, 2007

Greg Felton - Ontario Press Council refused to acknowledge proof of plagiarism in Globe and Mail editorial

The Globe and Mail was guilty. The evidence said it was guilty. So what happened to the men and women of the Ontario Press Council impaneled to evaluate the charge of plagiarism?

March 20, 2007

SPHR - Student based groups unite in forming first ever Canada wide organization dedicated to the defence of Palestinian Human Rights

For the first time in Canadian history, campus based Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights and affiliate groups joined together to form a unified national organization which advocates for Palestinian human rights.

UN/OCHR - Evictions continue in East Jerusalem

Two months ago, the 12 members of the Abdullah family awoke at 7.30am to find their home in East Jerusalem surrounded by 2,000 Israeli soldiers.

They were hustled out as two bulldozers from the Jerusalem Municipality tore it down – leaving them to face the winter cold with just a canvas Red Cross tent for shelter.

March 18, 2007

Amnesty International - Fear for safety of human rights defenders in the Occupied Territories

There have been further attacks by Israeli settlers on human rights defenders working in the Occupied Territories. The head of one international organization working in the area has voiced concern that the lives of these human rights defenders could be in danger if the attacks continue.

(Palestinian deaths, injuries and home demolitions occur daily but are seldom reported in the North American media. Visit Today in Palestine to find out what the media isn't telling you.)

March 17, 2007

Haaretz - PMO to Balad: We will thwart anti-Israel activity even if legal

(Important article about democracy and the rule of law in Israel. No democracy for Non-Jews and for Jews who want to change the exclusionary character of the "Jewish State." )

The Prime Minister's Office has sent a letter to the editor of the publication of the predominantly Arab party Balad saying it would combat the activity of any group or individual seeking to harm Israel's "Jewish or democratic character," even if that activity was carried out through legal means.

The Guardian (UK) - Israel risks isolation as Hamas-Fatah coalition takes office

Israel seems to be heading for confrontation with Britain and the EU after announcing a total boycott of the new Palestinian national unity government, due to be sworn in tomorrow after months of factional violence and political uncertainty. ...

Israel objects to the new government's failure to meet the three conditions laid down by the international community: recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept previous peace agreements.

(But Israel does not recognize the right of Palestinians to have their own state, kills Palestinians on a daily basis and continues to build settlements in the West Bank counter to the provisions of the Oslo Accord and the Roadmap to peace.)

March 15, 2007

Rachel Corrie Memorial Website

Dedicated to a 23 year old peace activist who was killed on March 16, 2003 when she was crushed by a bulldozer on the Gaza Strip.

"I really can't believe that something like this can happen in the world without a bigger outcry about it. ...The vast majority of people here - even if they had the economic means to escape, even if they actually wanted to give up resisting on their land and just leave (which appears to be maybe the less nefarious of Sharon's possible goals), can't leave. Because they can't even get into Israel to apply for visas, and because their destination countries won't let them in (both our country and Arab countries). So I think when all means of survival is cut off in a pen (Gaza) which people can't get out of, I think that qualifies as genocide. "

March 13, 2007

CAP/PAC supports call for boycott and sanctions against Israel's Apartheid like practices

Canadian Action Party members endorse a call to boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel's apartheid-like practices against the Palestinian people. The July, 2005 call to boycott has gained worldwide momentum from trade unions, political parties, cultural, academic and church groups, Jewish peace and human rights groups, businesses, and individuals.

(The CAP is a small party with no seats in the House of Commons but it is, nonetheless another nail in the coffin of Israeli Apartheid. Their website is well-worth checking out in regards to other issues of concern to Canadians such as globalization, free trade and Canadian sovereignty.)

March 11, 2007

Felton - Internet supplements provide nutrients lacking in our low-info mainstream diet

North American newspapers are a lot like Swiss cheese—they're notable for what isn't there. Pick up a British paper like the Guardian or the Independent published on the same day as your local rag and you'd think they came from two different planets.

Ynet News - Bishops equate Israel's actions to Holocaust

While crossing one of the checkpoints into East Jerusalem the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, told reporters: "This is something that is done to animals, not people." Meisner, a resident of eastern Germany, said that the fence reminded him of the Berlin Wall and that in his lifetime he did not believe he would see such a thing again.

Tadamon - Canadians and the International Boycott Movement

We in Canada have our own ‘Aipacs', devoted Zionists in bed with our government, and the Christian Right. However, we also have many Palestine solidarity and Arab organizations, as well as grass roots civil groups that have flowered here over the years, and take a dynamic, public position on the occupation, the right of return, the human rights abuses that Palestinians are subjected to, and have wholly embraced the BDS movement. We consider it our mandate to educate the Canadian public on these issues and as well, on our government's untenable and right wing policies towards the Middle East.

March 7, 2007

Introducing the Palestine Times

With pleasure I would like to inform you that a daily Palestinian
newspaper called Palestine Times ( www.times.ps ) has been established.

As a unique endeavor, Palestine Times strives to remain independent
without any political affiliations.

Similarly, our newspaper aims to create awareness on the Palestinian
condition in the territories and to promote and support independent voices directed to the world.

Palestine Times was created in an effort to overcome the vast
misrepresentation in the international sphere.

Our newspaper will build bridges between the Palestinian people and the international community; it will also be a solid means of communication between Israelis and Palestinians, especially considering that Israel is one of our main target audiences.

We are firm believers in peace and coexistence, and we are prepared and eager to cooperate with everyone who shares our views about the true nature of the Palestinian people.

We would like to inquire about the possibilities of cooperation with us.
We believe your support of Palestine Times will help in promoting this
vital endeavor. Please consider Palestine Times yours, since we share
common objectives.

Regards

Saleem Abughoush

March 4, 2007

Catholic online - Israel has turned Gaza into ‘large prison,' Irish bishops say, questioning Ireland's ties

DUBLIN, Ireland (Catholic Online) – Israel has turned the occupied Gaza Strip into “a large prison” incarcerating Palestinians who are subject to “systematic abuse of human rights,” said the Irish bishops in a statement that calls into question Ireland's commercial ties with the Middle East nation.

EI - Sinn Fein leader calls for economic sanctions on Israel after Nablus incursion

Speaking in the Dail today Deputy O Snodaigh said, "There is an urgent need for the government to respond to the latest illegal Israeli military incursion into Nablus in the West Bank by enforcing emergency economic sanctions on Israel.

March 2, 2007

CIC - UN Report Likens Israel to Apartheid South Africa but Canadian papers censored or suppressed the story

Several national Arab and Muslim organizations today condemned major Canadian newspapers for ignoring or sidelining coverage of an independent UN-commissioned report that links Israel's 40-year occupation of the Palestinian territories to apartheid South Africa.

Halifax Herald - Shouldn't both sides meet demands?

The editorial "No closer to peace" (Feb. 20) and Paul Schneidereit's column "It's a matter of having the right to exist" (Feb. 20) display an extraordinary indulgence for Israel by making excuses and justification for its policies, which are in violation of international law.

Both demand the Palestinian government, led by Hamas, recognize Israel's right to exist. Hamas has accepted, in the recent Mecca accord, the two-state solution – thus, in essence, recognizing Israel's existence.

 canpalnet-ottawa.org