For Immediate Release
2 Nov. 2011
Canadian and Irish ships set to challenge Israel's illegal blockade with
Freedom Waves to Gaza
The Canadian ship Tahrir and the Irish ship Saoirse have successfully reached international waters, marking the start of the Freedom Waves to Gaza campaign. The boats are currently in the Mediterranean Sea, preparing to sail for Gaza within a matter of hours.
For Immediate Release
Montreal, Nov. 1, 2011 - On Oct. 31, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted full membership to Palestine, despite the certainty that the U.S. would cut its funding -- 22 per cent of the agency's budget. The UNESCO membership bid, which required approval by two-thirds of the agency's general conference, passed by a vote of 107 to 14, with 52 abstentions. The U.S., Canada, Israel, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany were among those who voted against, while China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa and India voted in favour. Huge cheers erupted in the UNESCO meeting hall when the Palestinian membership passed.
For Immediate Release
Montreal, Sept. 22, 2011 -- On July 7, 2011, after a delay of more than a year, the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism (CPCCA) released the report of its inquiry. Today, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is issuing a detailed Critique of the CPCCA report which highlights grave misrepresentations in the CPCCA report.
Lieberman's appalling views and his visit to Canada should not be acceptable to anyone with a modicum of respect for human rights.
- Sid Shniad, Independent Jewish Voices.
What: Protest against Israel's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman
When: 7:30pm, Monday, September 19, 2011
Where: Outside the venue where Lieberman is speaking, the Jewish Community Centre (Note: the centre is not the event sponsor), 950 W. 41st Ave, near Oak St., Vancouver.
Why: "We are extremely distressed by the Harper government's welcoming of this visit by Israel's extremist, racist foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, a man who has openly advocated ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians," said Sid Shniad, spokesperson for Independent Jewish Voices.
As Israel faces growing isolation and repercussions from an effective global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Campaign, over the past month Canada has continued to deepen its economic, political, and ideological relationship with Israel.
Canadian activist Dylan Penner describes what has happened to The Tahrir, its crew, and international activists since it made a dash to leave Greece early Monday.
Cathryn Atkinson: Where are you?
Dylan Penner: At port. I am below deck. The Tahrir has been damaged by the Greek coastguard when they forced us into port. [Editor's Note: The Tahrir was slammed into a concrete wall -- with the boat taking on water and its diesel tank having been damaged, though it is not sinking.] We're still on board, but essentially what we've seen is the very clear expansion of the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza to Greece.
CA: What is happening currently?