The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR), a non-profit that educates Canadians about social, economic, political and cultural issues of the Arab world and the Middle East, is delighted that Canada has reached its initial target of welcoming 25,000 Syrian refugees. “We truly appreciate the tremendous work by civil servants, volunteers and community organizers,” said Rula Odeh, NCCAR’s Executive Director. “While more work lies ahead to integrate the newest members of our Canadian family, Canadians can be proud of our ability to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our global community.”

As Canada builds on its recent successes and lessons learned, NCCAR looks forward to the next bold target for welcoming refugees. NCCAR is confident Canadians will rise to the challenge again with our time-tested values of generosity and openness.

The National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and ties between Canadians and the people of the Arab world in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as raise an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR’s goal is to advance education in Canada by a)  providing seminars, conferences and workshops and b) providing leadership training in relation to the social, economic, political and cultural history and current issues of the Arab world and Middle East. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada.

For further information on the National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) please visit our website at www.nccar.ca or write to us at 1 Rideau Street, Suite 700, Ottawa, ON, K1N 8S7.

Contact: nccar@nccar.ca |  NCCAR Office: 613-238-3795

Twitter: @NCCARCanada | Facebook: NCCAR | www.nccar.ca

Communiqué Le CNRCA se réjouit de l’accueil de 25 000 réfugiés syriens par les Canadiens et attend avec intérêt le prochain objectif ambitieux pour protéger les réfugiés syriens

  Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) – un organisme sans but lucratif visant à éduquer les Canadiens sur les enjeux sociaux, économiques, politiques ainsi que culturels dans le monde arabe et le Moyen-Orient – se réjouit de l’atteinte de l’objectif de 25 000 réfugiés syriens accueillis au Canada. “Nous apprécions réellement le travail considérable effectué par les agents publics, bénévoles et organisateurs communautaires”, a affirmé Rula Odeh, la Directrice exécutive du CNRCA. “Alors que davantage de travail se présente afin d’intégrer les nouveaux membres de notre famille canadienne, les Canadiens peuvent être fiers de notre capacité à protéger ceux parmi les plus vulnérables membres de la communauté mondiale”.

Alors que le Canada bâtit sur ses récents succès ainsi que les leçons tirées, le CNRCA attend avec impatience le prochain objectif audacieux pour accueillir les réfugiés. Le CNRCA a confiance en la capacité des Canadiens à relever le défi encore une fois, avec nos valeurs éprouvés de générosité et d’ouverture.

Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme à but non lucratif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, et pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. L’objectif du CNRCA est de promouvoir l’éducation au Canada en a) fournissant des séminaires, conférences et ateliers ainsi qu’en b) offrant des formations en lien avec les aspects sociaux, économiques, politiques et culturels du monde arabe et du Moyen Orient. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de divers horizons dans l’ensemble du Canada.

Pour plus de renseignements sur le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes, veuillez visitez notre site Web à l’adresse www.nccar.ca ou écrivez-nous au 1 Rue Rideau, Suite 700, Ottawa, ON, K1N 8S7.

Contact: nccar@nccar.ca  |  NCCAR Office: 613-238-3795

Twitter: @NCCARCanada | Facebook: NCCAR | www.nccar.ca

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BDS is a non-violent campaign that supports proven methods of conscientious objection to encourage Israel to respect international law. In the past, Canadians have supported BDS aimed at several countries. Canadian churches, NGOs, universities and labor organizations were significant participants in BDS movements against South African apartheid. Such legitimate scrutiny and action by citizens can encourage countries that violate human rights to change their policies and no country should be made immune to these.

At its core, the vote on the anti-BDS motion would go against the spirit of Freedom of Speech, a right enshrined in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Democratic governments do not ordinarily attempt to dictate the political views of their citizens. NCCAR Chair, Gabriel Fahel, reminds us that “freedom of speech and conscientious objections to buying products from countries that contravene international law are core values of a free and democratic society.”

NCCAR believes that Canadians’ free speech should be protected and put first when considering a position for or against BDS.

The National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and ties between Canadians and the people of the Arab world in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as raise an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR’s goal is to advance education in Canada by a)  providing seminars, conferences and workshops and b) providing leadership training in relation to the social, economic, political and cultural history and current issues of the Arab world and Middle East. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada.

For further information on the National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) please visit our website at www.nccar.ca or write to us at 1 Rideau Street, Suite 700, Ottawa, ON, K1N 8S7.

Contact: nccar@nccar.ca |  NCCAR Office: 613-238-3795

Twitter: @NCCARCanada | Facebook: NCCAR | www.nccar.ca

Communiqué Le CNRCA exhorte à considérer en priorité la liberté d’expression des Canadiens durant les débats sur le BDS A la lumière d’une motion aujourd’hui au Parlement appelant le gouvernement canadien à “condamner toute tentative d’organisations canadiennes, groupes ou individus visant à promouvoir le mouvement BDS [Boycott, Désinvestissement et Sanctions]” en lien avec Israël, le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) invite les Canadiens à se référer à l’histoire louable que leur pays entretient avec les mouvements BDS et à la relation de longue durée entre ces mouvements et les principes canadiens démocratiques. 

Le BDS est une campagne non-violente soutenant des méthodes éprouvées d’objection de conscience afin d’encourage Israël à respecter les normes internationales. Précédemment, les Canadiens ont encouragés les mouvements de BDS visant de nombreux pays. Les Églises, ONGs, universités et unions canadiennes ont été des acteurs importants des mouvements BDS contre l’apartheid sud africain. Aucun pays ne devrait être à l’abris de tels examens publics légitimes et de telles actions pouvant encourager les États contrevenant aux droits humains à changer leurs politiques.

Dans ces fondements, le vote sur la motion anti-BDS irait contre l’esprit de liberté d’expression, un droit inscrit dans la Charte des droits et libertés du Canada. Les gouvernements démocratiques ne tentent pas communément de dicter des visions politiques à leurs citoyens. Le Président du CNRCA, Gabriel Fahel nous rappelle que “la liberté d’expression et d’objection de conscience d’acheter des produits provenant de certains pays contrevenant aux normes internationales sont des valeurs fondamentales dans une société libre et démocratique”.

Le CNRCA soutient que le droit à la liberté d’expression des Canadiens inscrit dans la charte doit être protégé et considéré en priorité dans les débats en faveur ou contre le BDS.

Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme à but non lucratif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, et pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. L’objectif du CNRCA est de promouvoir l’éducation au Canada en a) fournissant des séminaires, conférences et ateliers ainsi qu’en b) offrant des formations en lien avec les aspects sociaux, économiques, politiques et culturels du monde arabe et du Moyen Orient. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de divers horizons dans l’ensemble du Canada.

Pour plus de renseignements sur le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes, veuillez visitez notre site Web à l’adresse www.nccar.ca ou écrivez-nous au 1 Rue Rideau, Suite 700, Ottawa, ON, K1N 8S7.

Contact: nccar@nccar.ca  |  NCCAR Office: 613-238-3795

Twitter: @NCCARCanada | Facebook: NCCAR | www.nccar.ca

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The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is pleased to launch the following initiatives to educate and inform, in a non-partisan way, about important Canadian policy issues discussed during the 2015 Canadian federal election campaign.

1. NCCAR’s Media and Policy Analysis team will be developing non-partisan, educational “Key Points and Backgrounders” accessible to the public on a series of topics such as Canadian policy on Syrian refugees, potential impact of security policies as well as foreign policy in the Middle East and the Arab Word. NCCAR will also provide its perspectives on these issues. These “Key Points and Backgrounders” are featured as part of Your Voice voter education campaign which NCCAR is a partner in along with the Canadian-Arab Institute.
2. NCCAR just launched its new magazine “Canada Elections: Middle East and Security Issues” focused on the political and media coverage that these topics are receiving – a great way to stay up-to-date during the election campaign!
3. NCCAR will be hosting a series of webinars on Canadian policy impacting the peoples of the Arab World. These feature distinguished academics and experts as part of the Your Voice voter education campaign which NCCAR is a partner in along with the Canadian-Arab Institute. 
4. NCCAR is also pleased to refer the following experienced commentator who is available to offer her informed analyses on Canadian policy and practices that impact relations with the peoples of the Arab World during this election period.

Rula Odeh, the Executive Director of the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR), has served on the NCCAR board for the past five years including as President in 2009-2010.

She has played a leadership role is in several organizations advocating for Canadian policies in the Middle East based on human rights, equality and freedom. Her interest in Canadian media’s representation of Canada’s foreign policy in the Middle East has resulted in a CBC Ombudsman review of a biased news report, several published opinion pieces in Canadian media and numerous appearances on TV and radio.

To schedule an interview with Rula Odeh, or submit questions, please phone or email :

National Council on Canada-Arab Relations

613-238-3795

nccar@nccar.ca

The post NCCAR’s Commentary and Analysis during the Federal Election Campaign appeared first on National Council on Canada-Arab Relations.

1. Is the Steven J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary, just an environmental project? Mr. Harper was recently honoured by the Jewish National Fund of Canada which announced that the Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary would carry his name.

But the “Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary” hides a dark past. In 1948 there were several small Palestinian villages eking out a poor living in the malaria infested marshy valley by fishing and weaving papyrus mats.

According to Israeli historian Benny Morris, the Hula Valley was cleared of its Bedouin inhabitants in 1948 (before the declaration of Israeli independence) in “Operation Broom” led by Israeli General Yigal Allon. In Morris’ account, the soldiers were ordered to attack villages in the area, and that “their inhabitants expelled and the[ir] houses blown up.” An eyewitness quoted by Morris described the scene:

“House after house was bombed and torched, then matters proceeded towards the Jordan. All was bombed, the tents and huts were burned. All day there were explosions, and smoke and fire were visible.”

General Allon described the effect of psychological warfare on the Palestinian Arabs:

“The confidence of thousands of [Palestinian] Arabs of the Hula [Valley] was shaken . . . We had ONLY five days left . . . until 15 May [1948]. We regarded it as imperative to CLEANSE [of Palestinian Arabs] the interior of the Galilee and create JEWISH territorial continuity in the whole of the Upper Galilee.”

The confiscated land was allocated for the development of kibbutzim, but the reclamation was a failure and most of the valley has subsequently returned to its natural state. The Palestinian villagers have never been allowed to return to their land. They were permanently displaced without compensation.

It is on and around these ruins that The Stephen J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary Visitor and Education Centre will be built.

For more information, please refer to: The Birth of the Palestinian refugee problem, 1947–1948, Benny Morris, 1989

2. Should Canada recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”? Mr. Harper has stated that Canada recognizes Israel’s right to exist “as a Jewish State”, repeating a demand that Israeli PM Netanyahu first formulated in 2009 as a “condition” for negotiations with the PLO. To superficial observers, the notion that Israel be recognized “as a Jewish state”, seems benign – both a reflection of the reality that 75% of the Israeli population is Jewish, and a reflection of the desire to ensure that the Jewish people is able to protect itself against any repetition of the horrendous occurrences of the Holocaust.

On closer examination however, the demand seems to have another purpose – to make it impossible for the PLO to agree to any peace deal. It is certainly not a requirement for any peace agreement.  Israel signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. In both accords, the parties recognized the State of Israel. But there was no mention of recognizing Israel “as a Jewish state”.

But why would it be so difficult for the PLO to agree to recognize Israel “as a Jewish state?”

Three main reasons:

1. It is not clear what this would mean in law. Based on Israel’s current practice, it certainly means that Jewish Israelis will get some rights that non-Jewish Israelis won’t get. But which privileges?  How far would it go? Would it mean the end of the Arab school system inside Israel? Would it mean the end of the right to vote for non-Jewish citizens? Would it mean even more aggressive programs of “Judaization” like those currently being applied in the Galilee and in the Negev. Would it go so far as to support more “ethnic cleansing”? There are already powerful voices in Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition who openly call for the expulsion of the Palestinians who still live in Israel.
2. Recognizing Israel “as a Jewish state” would be comparable to asking Quebecers to recognize Canada as an “English and Protestant” State, or for the US to declare that it is a “white” state. In Canada, this would be seen as a huge step backward – away from the common conception of “equality of all citizens” in any state. This is now the Canadian norm, and indeed the international norm. If Israel were to be recognized “as a Jewish state”, this would open the door to allowing many kinds of discrimination against its non Jewish citizens.
3. The only way Israel can be guaranteed to be a “Jewish state” is to guarantee a “Jewish majority” – which means refusing forever the right of return to the Palestinian refugees. There are approximately 5 million Palestinian refugees. They are the families of those who were expelled from Israel in 1948 and whose lands and goods were confiscated without compensation by Israel only a few years after Jewish art and other valuables were confiscated by the Nazis in Europe. They await implementation of several UN resolutions (which Canada has supported) affirming their right to return to their homes and farms. Most of them live in refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank. Giving up this right is another “impossible” condition for the PLO.

This also poses a dilemma for Canada. In 1949, Canada voted in favour of a UN resolution calling on Israel to readmit the refugees. In fact, admission of Israel as a member to the UN was conditional on Israel’s acceptance of the right of the refugees to return. Canada voted in favour of this resolution as well. But if Canada recognizes Israel “as a Jewish state”, this means that Canada no longer supports the rights of those refugees to return.

For more information on the consequences of “Israel as a Jewish state”, you might want to contact Jonathon Cook, a journalist living in Nazareth. http://www.jonathan-cook.net/

3. Should Canadians be concerned about the human rights of the Negev Bedouin? For the last several months tensions have been mounting in Israel over plans to evict the Bedouins who live in the Negev desert, which constitutes the southern half of Israel.  Bedouins have been living here for centuries, certainly long before the creation of the State of Israel. (Many of them have documents from Ottoman times showing that they have possession of land.) Israel has been promoting a plan to “remove” the Bedouin to a few concentrated areas. The stated objective is to more easily provide services (education, water, sewage etc.) in a few cities, rather than spread out across the desert. In this it is reminiscent of the closing of Newfoundland’s outports in the ‘1970s, except it applies only to Bedouins, not to Jews living in the area.

However, the Bedouins have been actively resisting. Demonstrations were held all across Israel on November 30th. The Bedouin argue that far from seeking to provide better services, the Government of Israel is trying to “ethnically cleanse” the Negev, by driving out the Bedouin and at the same time using subsidies including housing and water, to attract Jews to settle in the area.

Over a hundred high profile Canadian artists and authors, including Margaret Atwood and John Ralston Saul signed a petition last July urging the Israeli government to drop its plan. https://www.cjpme.org/DisplayHTMLDocument.aspx?DO=795&ICID=3&RecID=1124&SaveMode=0

Several European countries, including the United Kingdom, have expressed discomfort with the plan after sending their ambassadors to check out the situation first hand. So far, there is no indication that Canada’s ambassador to Israel has paid any attention to this issue.

A month ago, Israel withdrew its proposal from consideration by the Knesset. However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office has said the plan is still under review.

More information is available from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, (ACRI) which is Israel’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Www.acri.il

4. Should Canadians be embarrassed about having our name associated with Israel’s “Canada Park”, built atop 3 destroyed Palestinian villages? Ayalon Canada Park is a 2,000 acre recreation area situated on the highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Its forested area serves as a picnic area for Israeli families to relax on most weekends. The park was created on the ruins of 3 Palestinian villages which were destroyed during the ’67 war (also known as the 6 day war). The 3 villages (Imwas, Beit Nuba and Yalo), were attacked and then bulldozed by the Israeli Defense Forces, driving out nearly 10,000 unarmed and unprotected Palestinians civilians who became refugees. Today this would be known as “ethnic cleansing”.

The land was subsequently confiscated without compensation and given to the Jewish National Fund.

Using money donated by the Jewish National Fund (Canada), trees were planted over the hills and valleys, almost completely obscuring the fact that there ever were Arab villages in the area. In recognition of Canada’s contribution, the park was named “Canada Park”, and the names of many Canadian donors appear on a large monument in the park.

A powerful video on Canada was made by the CBC’s “Fifth Estate” in 1991.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcZL-z9fdLA

Many Canadians have asked that Canada’s name be dissociated from this embarrassing episode. So far, our name still appears on the entrance to the park.

For more information, contact Dr. Ismael Zayid, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Zayid is a Canadian citizen who was born in, and expelled from, what is now Canada Park. His website is: http://izayid.tripod.com

5. Should Canadians be concerned about freedom of the press in Israel – and the reliability of the information we receive in Canada on Israel/Palestine issues? Mr. Harper often refers to Israel as a “bulwark of democracy” in the Middle East. One of the cornerstones of democracy is undoubtedly press freedom – the freedom of the press to put the actions of powerful people, including the government, under scrutiny. However, Israel now stands in 112^th position on “freedom of the press” according to Reporters without Borders  (RSF) http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2013,1054.html

In certain respects, Press Freedom in Israel is similar to Canada’s. Papers like Ha’aretz can be very critical of the government. But in other respects, less so. During the attack on Gaza in 2012, the RSF reported that “IDF deliberately targeted journalists and buildings housing media that are affiliated to Hamas or support it. And the arbitrary arrest and detention of Palestinian journalists is still commonplace. ”

In addition, Israel has an official “military censor” who has the authority to review and limit any press or media article. Furthermore, other reports indicate that “self-censorship” is an even bigger issue in Israel. For example there are no Israeli journalists in Gaza.

Reference: For more information on Israeli censorship and self censorship see:

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=11184

Or contact Jaffa based Independent Israeli journalist Lia Tarachansky (Lia.Tarachansky@gmail.com)

6. How can Canada help the current peace process? Canada has indicated that it would like to assist in the current “peace process”. Fairness, as well as practicality, would seem to require a minimal understanding of the issues and the realities on the ground, including in those Palestinian territories which are under Israeli occupation.

While Mr. Harper may not have time for such visits, here are some suggestions for the reporters who are travelling with him, either during this trip or on another occasion. Their reports would be useful to inform Canadians about the various aspects of the conflict:

1. Visit Gaza. The United Nations has said that there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, based on water, sewage, lack of housing. Israeli sources say that there is no such crisis. A visit could easily be arranged through the offices of UNRWA.
2. Visit Hebron or some Palestinian cities in the West Bank outside of Ramallah. Hebron is a city where a small number of Jewish settlers protected by the IDF have taken over the centre of the town. Tensions with local residents are very high. A tour of Hebron could be organized by: The Hebron Rehabilitation Committee. Contact: Walid Abu_Alhalaweh walid_halaweh@hotmail.com, Public Relations Director, cell: 972-0599-801118
3. Visit a Palestinian refugee camp. There are approximately 5 million Palestinian refugees, who have been expelled from Israel and denied the right to return. They are in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, Gaza and the West Bank. There are several refugee camps in Bethlehem that are very easy to visit.
4. Visit Bethlehem University, a Catholic institution operated under the patronage of the Vatican. At BU the mostly female Palestinian students – both Muslim and Christian study together. (Unfortunately, Israeli law does not allow Jewish Israelis to study there however.

7. Does  Israel really share the basic Canadian value of equality of its citizens? No value runs deeper in the Canadian ethic than that the law treats all citizens equally. However, this is not the case in Israel. According to official Israeli statistics, Israel’s Jewish citizens have better housing, better jobs, better education, better health outcomes than its (non-Jewish) Arab Israeli citizens. Of course Canada, too, has citizens with a disadvantaged profile. (e.g. first nations)  But in Israel, discrimination against non-Jews is widespread in practice and permitted by law. For example, Jewish municipalities can pass regulations excluding Arabs from living there, and this is tolerated by the Supreme Court. Indeed, the very notion of municipalities segregated along ethnic or religious lines is antithetical to Canadian values.

Increasingly right wing Israeli governments have recently enacted legislation which excludes, ignores, and discriminates against the Palestinian Arab minority. Since the establishment of the state, Israel has relied upon these laws to ground their discriminatory treatment of Arab citizens and allow the unequal status and unequal treatment of Jewish and Arab citizens to persist.

For further information, Haifa based ADALAH, (The Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel) has documented both the inequalities facing Israeli Arabs and the legal structure that supports it. Of particular interest are two ADALAH reports.

One lists a series of 29 new or impending discriminatory laws that have been presented to the Knesset in the last few years.

http://adalah.org/Public/files/Discriminatory-Laws-Database/Discriminatory-Bills-19th-Knesset-24-06-2013.pdf

Another, “The Inequality Report”, documents the economic inequality facing Palestinian Israelis and describes the legal structure which ensures it. http://adalah.org/upfiles/2011/Adalah_The_Inequality_Report_March_2011.pdf

8. Should Canada re-examine the role of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) with an eye to reconsider its tax exempt status in Canada? JNF Canada (the organization which honoured Mr. Harper at its “Negev Dinner” in Toronto last month) has “charitable” status in Canada and receives millions of dollars in tax deductible donations every year. It promotes itself as an environmental organization, and undoubtedly does some valuable land reclamation projects. However, critics in Canada (including Jewish critics) have noted that the JNF is inherently discriminatory – its statutes mandate it to hold land for “Jewish use” and it is forbidden to sell its land to Israeli Arabs. Furthermore, some of the projects it finances (like the Canada Park project mentioned above) have as their objective to eradicate signs of Palestinian life both inside Israel and in the Occupied Territories.

Given that non-discrimination and equality are Canadian values, it seems hard to justify giving JNF Canada tax deductible status.

For more information on the JNF, contact Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV). www.ijvcanada.ca

9. Should Canada encourage Israel to join the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and submit to UN inspection of its nuclear weapons program? According to Janes Defence Weekly, a British publication, Israel has between 100 and 300 nuclear warheads, making it the world’s 6th nuclear power. It also says Israel has long and medium range Jericho rockets. Israel has had an undeclared nuclear weapons program since the mid ‘60’s. It has consistently refused to enter UN-sponsored negotiations towards establishing a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East, even though, ironically, Iran has done so. Canada has a long history of supporting Nuclear Non Proliferation. Would it not be a good time to suggest to Mr. Netanyahu that Israel join the treaty?

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December 20, 2012

Dear Mr. Baird,

Re: Please help to ensure Arab-Israelis can exercise their democratic rights.

As you probably already know, Israel will be holding general elections on January 22, 2013. Yesterday the Israeli Central Elections Committee disqualified Member of Knesset (MK) Ms. Haneen Zoabi, one of the leading Arab candidates, from competing in the upcoming Israeli elections.

Her case will now be appealed before the Supreme Court where the decision is uncertain. (See Dec. 19th Ha’aretz article)

This is not the first time MK Zoabi has had to fight her disqualification in the months leading up to an election. How fair is it that a candidate must spend his or her time in judicial proceedings instead of campaigning?

About NCCAR: The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada. Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme caritatif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, ainsi que pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de diverses origines dans l’ensemble du Canada.

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Afin de comprendre le sens de cette position Américaine et Canadienne, il faut prendre du recul. Lester Pearson, alors ambassadeur du Canada à l’ONU en 1947, a été l’auteur d’une résolution qui proposait de diviser la Palestine en deux états l’une Juive et l’autre Arabe. Il n’a jamais été question qu’il y ait un mouvement de population entre ces deux états. Avant la deuxième guerre mondiale, la population Palestinienne comptait 9% de Juifs Palestiniens; mais avec une immigration massive des juifs d’Europe durant et après la deuxième guerre mondiale ce chiffre a bondi à 45%. Depuis lors, le mouvement sioniste a œuvré pour s’imposer dans le pays par la force des armes et par un terrorisme sans pareil. Devant ce tableau sombre, la résolution de Lester Pearson a été adoptée avec une légère marge sans que la population Palestinienne ne soit consultée. Il s’en ait suivi ce que les Israéliens d’aujourd’hui appellent la guerre d’indépendance qui a été ni plus ni moins un nettoyage ethnique de la population chrétienne et musulmane Arabe si l’on se fie au livre du nouveau historien Ilan Pappé « Ethnic Cleansing » publié après que les mémoires de David Ben Gurion, premier président d’Israël aient été rendu publique.

En lisant l’article de notre MP pour Mont Royal, Irwin Cotler, au National Post dans lequel il déclare que si les Palestiniens auraient acceptés la résolution des Nations Unies en 1947 on aurait célébré leur 65^ème anniversaire comme membre de l’ONU plutôt qu’une demande d’adhésion tardive. J’aurais bien voulu voir comment auraient réagi les Québécois si l’organisme international aurait divisé le Québec en deux états l’un francophone et l’autre anglophone sans consulter sa population. Cette attitude de M. Cotler a été l’argument de deux poids deux mesures qu’ont adopté les forces coloniales tout au long des 65 ans de calvaire qu’ont vécu les réfugiés Palestiniens.

L’argument de notre ministre des Affaires Étrangères qui ne fait que répéter le vieil argument que seul une négociation pourrait contribuer à créer l’État Palestinien et restituer le droit des 6 millions de réfugiés 65 ans après la création d’Israël n’est autre que donner le temps et la carte blanche à Israël de créer de nouvelles colonies et de continuer à déplacer les populations Palestiniennes; le rapport de force des deux antagonistes étant disproportionné.

Qu’est ce qui fait peur au Canada, aux États Unies et Israël. Ce n’est pas la reconnaissance des droits du peuple Palestinien. Le président Obama en a fait sa campagne aux Nations Unies en 2010 promettant que la Palestine sera sur ce même podium en 2011. Ce qui effraye c’est que le gouvernement Israélien, avec sa politique expansionniste et répressive pourrait être porté devant le tribunal des crimes de guerre. L’Allemagne et l’Angleterre ont réclamé de l’Autorité Palestinienne à ce qu’elle s’engage à ne pas comparaître devant ce tribunal en échange d’un vote positif aux Nations Unies. Il est difficile pour un Palestinien de comprendre l’arrogance de cette attitude qui dure du temps colonial et qui demande à une victime de ne pas prendre avantage du système judiciaire. Il est important de noter que seul un état reconnu par l’ONU a le droit de se présenter devant le tribunal. Il est, aussi, important de noter que la construction de colonies par un occupant est considérée comme un crime de guerre d’après la convention de Genève et cela sans tenir compte du comportement agressif des troupes occupantes et des colons contre les habitants des territoires occupés. Bien sûr si Israël, qui se considère un État de droit, pense qu’elle respecte le droit international tout le long de son histoire, elle ne devrait pas avoir peur de se défendre devant une instance internationale.

Malgré que le président de l’autorité Palestinienne a déclaré ne pas avoir l’intention d’avoir recours à cette instance internationale dans l’immédiat, néanmoins, cette possibilité lui donne un poids considérable quand viendra le temps de négocier avec Israël un règlement global qui couvrira le partage de l’eau, les télécommunications, la protection de l’héritage culturel, le statut de Jérusalem, le droit des réfugiés, les colonies, les frontières, la libération des prisonniers politiques, les arrestations arbitraires,  pour n’en nommer que l’essentiel. Ce poids retire d’Israël la carte blanche que lui ont offerte l’Occident depuis sa création en 1948. Aujourd’hui, seul le Canada et les États-Unis, par la force des sanctions et de la désinformation, tout en étant isolés du reste du monde insistent à soutenir l’insoutenable.

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National Council on Canada-Arab Relations | Conseil National des Relations Canado-Arabes
Media Release
November 30, 2012	Pour version française, cliquez ici
NCCAR applauds acceptance of Palestine at United Nations Canada votes against, strays further from international consensus
The National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) applauds the recent decision of the United Nations General Assembly to give Palestine non-member observer state status at the United Nations. Although only a simple majority of the votes was required, in the end the motion was overwhelmingly endorsed. One hundred and thirty eight nations voted in favour and only 9 against. Forty one abstained. President Abbas received a thunderous, standing ovation by the UN body.The “upgrade” of Palestinian status at the UN reflects a growing international feeling that the rights of the Palestinian people have been ignored for too long, and that they must be treated responsibly. Canada was one of only 9 nations to vote against the motion, with Foreign Minister John Baird making a personal intervention before the General Assembly arguing that the decision will harm the prospects for negotiations. Few delegations appeared swayed by his arguments. In fact, the decision represents an important step forward for the prospects of a peaceful resolution of what is one of the world’s longest standing conflicts. It puts the Palestinians in a better position to negotiate with Israel over water sharing, telecommunications, protection of cultural heritage, the status of Jerusalem, the rights of refugees, the settlements, borders, political prisoners and a host of other issues. The vote has shown that Canada’s “Israel right or wrong’ attitude is increasing our isolation in the international community. “Canada used to be within the international consensus on Israel/Palestine,’ noted NCCAR president Sanabel El-Rayes, “but it is now clear that we have strayed very far from what most of the world thinks on this issue. This will diminish our ability to be effective internationally on many other issues.” NCCAR believes that conditions for peace in the Middle East will be greatly enhanced when Israel ends its occupation, recognizes the right to return of the millions of Palestinian refugees and grants equality to Palestinians who live inside Israel. The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada. For further information on the National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) please contact Peter Larson in Ottawa at 613-262-5260, visit our website at www.nccar.ca or write to us at 116 Promenade du Portage, Gatineau, Quebec, J8X 2K1. Contact: nccar@nccar.ca |  Peter Larson (cell)- 613-262-5260  |  NCCAR Office: 238-3795 Twitter: @NCCARCanada | Facebook: NCCAR | www.nccar.ca
Communiqué
CNRCA se réjoui de l’acceptation de la Palestine aux Nations UniesCanada votes contre, s’éloigne encore de consensus international
Le Conseil National pour les Relations Canado-Arabe (CNRCA) se réjoui de la décision de l’Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies d’accorder à la Palestine le statut d’État observateur non-membre des Nations Unies. Même qu’une majorité simple des voix étaient suffisante pour adopter la résolution, un support massif a été enregistré. Le vote a été de 138 en faveur, 9 contre et 41 abstentions. Le président Mahmoud Abbas a été ovationné par une tumultueuse assemblée.Ce nouveau statut de la Palestine aux Nations Unies reflète un sentiment mondial ascendant en faveur des droits du peuple Palestinien. Ces droits ont été ignorés trop longtemps; il est grand temps que le remède s’applique de façon responsable. Le Canada s’est rangé parmi les 9 nations qui ont voté contre la motion. Son ministre des Affaires Étrangères s’est présenté, en personne, devant le podium pour répéter son argument qu’une telle décision porterait tort aux processus de négociations. Très peu de délégations ont accordés une crédibilité à ce raisonnement. En réalité, la décision représente une étape importante mettant de l’avant les chances de succès d’un processus de règlement juste et équitable d’un des conflits les plus long de l’histoire. Les Palestiniens sont mieux placés dans leur négociations avec Israël sur les sujets pressants tel le partage de l’eau, les télécommunications, la protection de l’héritage culturel, le statut de Jérusalem, le droit des réfugiés, les colonies, les frontières, la libération des prisonniers politiques, les arrestations arbitraires,  pour n’en nommer que l’essentiel. Le vote a démontré que la politique du Canada de porter son appui absolu à Israël augmente l’isolation de notre pays dans la communauté internationale. “Le Canada s’est toujours aligné en harmonie avec la communauté internationale dans le conflit Israélo-Palestinien”, souligne la présidente de CNRCA, Sanabel El-Rayes. Mais il est clair que nous avons dérapé de la voie que le reste du monde empreunte sur ce conflit. Notre capacité d’influencer d’autres causes dans le monde se voit handicapée. CNRCA est de l’opinion que les conditions pour une paix juste et durable au Moyen Orient passent par la fin de l’occupation Israëlienne des territoires occupés, la reconnaissance du droit de retour des millions de réfugiés et l’égalité des droits entre tous les citoyens en Israël. Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme caritatif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, ainsi que pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de diverses origines dans l’ensemble du Canada. Pour plus de renseignements sur le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes, veuillez communiquer avec Peter Larson à Ottawa au 613-262-5260, ou visitez notre site Web à www.nccar.ca ou écrivez-nous à 116 Promenade du Portage, Gatineau, Québec, J8X 2K1.
Contact: nccar@nccar.ca |  Peter Larson (cell)- 613-262-5260  |  NCCAR Office: 238-3795Twitter: @NCCARCanada | Facebook: NCCAR | www.nccar.ca
About NCCAR: The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada. Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme caritatif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, ainsi que pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de diverses origines dans l’ensemble du Canada.

The post Media Release: NCCAR applauds acceptance of Palestine at United Nations / CNRCA se réjoui de l’acceptation de la Palestine aux Nations Unies appeared first on National Council on Canada-Arab Relations.

A few weeks ago Senator Nancy Ruth and eight other Canadian Senators sent a public letter to Ms. Mardi Tindal, moderator of the United Church of Canada, criticizing a church report which proposed a boycott of goods produced by illegal Israeli settlers in Occupied Palestinian Territory.

NCCAR has responded in a letter to the Senators, noting that the UCC report came out of an intensive year long study that included a cross Canada tour, meetings with Muslims, Christians and Jews, and a visit to Israel and Palestine. The letter suggests that if senators don’t approve of the recommendations of the UCC, they undertake their own review of Canada’s Israel/Palestine policy and come up with their own proposals to get Israel to follow international law.

After all, the letter notes:

“Canada’s current policy of unqualified support for Israel (even going so far as to define Canada as “Israel’s best friend”) has unfortunately done little to encourage Israel to respect the basic human rights of the Palestinians. On the contrary, it seems to have encouraged Israel to continue with its policy of building more and more settlements on occupied Palestinian territory.”

The full text of the NCCAR letter follows.

A copy of the original letter from the 9 senators is available on the United Church website at: http://www.united-church.ca/files/communications/news/general/120703_senators.pdf

National Council on Canada Arab Relations

116 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Québec
J8X 2K1

Hon. Senator Nancy Ruth
Parliament of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

July 12, 2012

Dear Senator Ruth,

Your letter of June 27^th to United Church Moderator Mardi Tindal, regarding the United Church’s working paper on Israel and Palestine, has been widely reported in the press.

The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is very pleased to see that you and the other eight senators are taking an interest in this complex and emotionally charged international issue.

Canada’s current policy of unqualified support for Israel (even going so far as to define Canada as “Israel’s best friend”) has unfortunately done little to encourage Israel to respect the basic human rights of the Palestinians. On the contrary, it seems to have encouraged Israel to continue with its policy of building more and more settlements on occupied Palestinian territory.

As you know, these settlements are illegal under international law, and Canada’s official position, as enunciated on the DFAIT website, is to oppose them.

Your letter expresses reservations about the UCC working group proposal to boycott products produced by Israeli settlers in occupied Palestinian territory. The UCC group came to its conclusions after a year-long study of the whole Israel/Palestine
issue. It heard from expert witnesses across Canada (Muslims, Christians and Jews) and also included a mission to the region in which it met with representatives of both Israelis and Palestinians.

If boycotting products from these illegal settlements is not, in your eyes, a good approach to inducing Israel to respect international law and Canadian policy, perhaps the Senate of Canada might reflect on what other approach might
be more appropriate.

The Senate of Canada has in the past, taken on serious consideration of many complex Canadian policy issues – including Aboriginal Policy and Health Care. Several senate reports have made major contributions to Canadian public policy
by taking a long-term non-partisan approach to difficult challenges.

Reviewing our stance toward Israel/Palestine is one area in which Senators could make a major contribution to Canada.

Our current Canadian policy is clearly failing to ensure security for Jewish Israelis or human rights for Palestinians. It is increasingly questioned by not only the United Church of Canada but also by a wide range of other Christian, Muslim and even some Jewish organizations. It also has been criticized by many respected members of the Canadian diplomatic community, who are concerned that it is causing considerable damage to Canada’s international reputation.

I invite you and other senators to take up a serious review of Canada’s Middle East policy, and bring forward recommendations for public consideration. If you go forward with this, you can count on the support and encouragement of the National Council on Canada Arab Relations.

Thank you in advance.

Peter Larson

Chair
National Education Committee on Israel Palestine
National Council on Canada Arab Relations.

cc: Senator Bert Brown, Senator Yonah Martin, Senator Dennis Patterson, Senator Carolyn Stuart Olsen, Senator Jim Munsen, Senator George Baker, Senator James Cowan, Senator Elisabeth Hubley, Ms. Mardi Tindal, Moderator, United Church of Canada, Senator Pierre DeBané, Co-Chair, Canada Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group

____________________

email: peter.larson@nccar.ca

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In light of the ongoing military attacks in Homs, Syria, that have killed hundreds of innocent civilians, NCCAR calls for immediate measures to be taken by the Syrian government and all parties and powers involved to immediately end the deplorable armed violence and killings. NCCAR further calls for the international community to take measures that will protect Syrian civilians and allow for humanitarian relief and assistance, while quickly enabling the Syrian people to proceed with their own legitimate pursuit of a rights-based democracy.

NCCAR calls on the Canadian government to support the Syrian people, along with all the peoples in the Arab World, in their pursuit of human rights, freedom, democracy and the rule of law, without exception.

Communiqué

Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) soutient fermement tous les peuples du monde arabe dans leur quête légitime pour le respect des droits humains, la liberté, la démocratie et l’État de droit. Malheureusement, comme Human Rights Watch a récemment fait remarquer, plusieurs gouvernements de la communauté internationale n’ont pas insisté sur l’application de ces principes à tous les peuples du Moyen-Orient et Afrique du Nord, sans exception.

En ce qui concerne la Syrie, la primauté des intérêts géopolitiques et la quête du pouvoir chez les acteurs locaux, régionaux et mondiaux, au détriment de la protection et le respect des droits humains des civils, ont mené à une augmentation de victimes des violations inacceptables des droits humains et de conflit militaire qui peuvent rapidement s’étendre à toute la région.

À la lumière de la poursuite des attaques militaires à Homs, en Syrie, qui ont tué des centaines de civils innocents, CNRCA appelle pour la prise de mesures immédiates par le gouvernement syrien et toutes les parties et les pouvoirs concernés, pour mettre une fin immédiate à la violence armée et les meurtres déplorables.

Le CNRCA appelle également à la communauté internationale de prendre des mesures qui protègent les civils syriens et qui permettent l’aide humanitaire et l’assistance, tout en concédant rapidement au peuple syrien le droit de procéder dans leurpropre quête légitime d’une démocratie fondée sur les droits humains.
CNRCA appelle le gouvernement canadien à appuyer le peuple syrien, ainsi que tous les peuples dans le monde arabe, dans leur quête pour le respect des droits humains, la liberté, la démocratie et l’État de droit, sans exception.

The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada.www.nccar.caLe conseil national des relations canado-arabes est une organisation charitable dont l’objet est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiennes et Canadiens et les gens dans le monde arabe, de manière à développer des relations plus fortes et reconnaître les valeurs qu’ils tiennent en commun. Le Conseil vit du dynamisme de ses membres et jouit de l’appui de Canadiens de diverses origines à travers le pays. www.nccar.ca

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