Letters to MPs and Responses 

Urgent Action Required to Address Human Tragedy - Gaza and Israel - October, 2023

UNJPPI appreciates Mr. Da Silva’s visit and tweet in support of Addameer 

ACTION:
​Download an abbreviated template of the letter, to sign and send to Minister Joly.

UNJPPI speaks out about Masafer Yatta

ACTION:
Download an abbreviated template of the letter to sign and send to Minister Joly.

UNJPPI Letter to Minister Joly re Coming UNGA Votes

​UNJPPI Letter to Minister Joly re Israel Mistreatment of Palestinian Children

​ UNJPPI Letter no. 3 to Minister Joly re Labelling Pal Orgs as Terrorists

​Shireen Abu Akleh – Shocking Killing and Funeral Attack

Masafer Yatta and Israeli Military Firing Zone 918

Letter to the PM of Canada re the Moral Leadership of the Late Archbishop Tutu

Israel Terrorist Designation of Six Palestinian Human Rights Organizations

On October 19th, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Ganz designated, under Israel’s anti-terrorism legislation, six organizations that work for human rights in the oPt.  The six organizations are Addameer, Al Haq, Defense for Children International -Palestine, Union of ​Agricultural Work Committees, Bisan Center for Research and Development and Union of Palestinian Women Committees. On November 7th, the designation was extended to the West Bank by the chief of the Israeli army’s central command. 

We have seen the facts on the ground and witnessed the important work done by human rights defenders.  The following letter calls on the Canadian government to respond to this action by the Israeli government.

Sign the Parliamentary Petition e-3679
Call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Call upon the Israeli authorities to immediately rescind the designations and end all efforts aimed at delegitimizing and criminalizing Palestinian human rights defenders;
2. Support Palestinians seeking the fundamental human rights, justice and accountability; and
3. Honour its obligation to ensure Israel’s compliance with international law.​
​Nov. 2021
 
The Hon. Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons  
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Melanie.Joly@international.gc.ca
Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca
 
Dear Minister Joly,
 
Re:        Israel Terrorist Designation of Six Palestinian Human Rights Organizations
 
Congratulations on your re-election to Parliament and on your recent appointment as Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister.
 
The United Network of Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (‘UNJPPI’) is a grassroots network of United Church of Canada members and friends working for a just peace in Palestine/Israel. We firmly believe that justice for all who live within Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (‘oPt’) is an essential prerequisite for a lasting peace there. Our membership includes individuals who have served as Ecumenical Accompaniers in the region and many others who have visited there on one or more occasions. We have seen the facts on the ground and witnessed the important work done by human rights defenders.
 
It is heartening for UNJPPI and our supporters to see from the Canadian Government website explanation of Canada’s approach to advancing human rights that our government similarly recognizes the key role played by human rights defenders.  As noted on your website, an important part of their work is the documenting and calling attention to violations and abuses by any actor, including governments. It is perhaps not surprising when governments whose violations are so documented go to great lengths to silence the human rights defenders. UNJPPI very much appreciates the Canadian government’s clear statement of the need to protect these human rights defenders.
 
Read the full letter.
November 26, 2021
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

The Honourable Melanie Joly,

We write as the chair and vice-chairs of the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group. With a membership of nearly 50 Members of Parliament and Senators representing all parties, we work together in a shared, non-partisan commitment to peace in the Middle East and advancing the recognition and protection of human rights for the Palestinian people.

On behalf of our membership, we write to you regarding the Government of Israel's designation of six Palestinian civil society organizations under Israeli Counter-Terrorism legislation.
While we strongly reject terrorism in all its forms, there is a lack of clarity and documentation from Israel on what evidence was used to apply this designation against these six organizations.
We worry that, without clear and transparent evidence, such actions impede the legitimate humanitarian work done by civil society organizations and their ability to provide important, very much needed humanitarian assistance and support to the Palestinian people. We are also concerned about the impact this can have on the rights and safety of the volunteers and employees of such organizations.

As Canada has long prided itself as a defender and champion of human rights, both at home and around the world, we call on you and our government to insist that Israeli officials provide clear and documentary evidence to support these claims and, if none exists, to withdraw these designations.

And we request that you make clear Canada's commitment to human rights and our insistence that legitimate civil society groups be free to provide vitally needed assistance support to and for the Palestinian people.

We congratulate you on your important new role and look forwarding to working with you on these and other issues.

Sincerely,
Salma Za hid, chair,     
MP, Scarborough Centre

Mario Beaulieu, vice chair  
MP, La Pointe-de-Iile                   

​Alexandre Boulerice, vice chair 
MP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie                  

Elizabeth May, vice-chair
MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands

PDF Document (inc. Francais)
Letter by Moderator to PM about the Killing of Ali Abu Alia
The Moderator of the United Church of Canada has written a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the killing of Ali Abu Alia
​and in support of the e-pettition calling for a Special Envoy to report on Israeli treatment of Palestinian children​.

Read the letter here.

Letter from George Bartlett,
Chair, UNJPPI 

Letter from Heather McPherson, MP
May 13, 2021
Members of Parliament,

Dear Justice Minister David Lametti and Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier and Foreign Minister Marc Garneau,

As Israel’s occupation forces escalate their violence against Palestinians, Canada must apply its laws concerning support for foreign militaries. The Foreign Enlistment Act makes it illegal to induce or recruit for a foreign military and Canada Revenue Agency guidelines state that “supporting the armed forces of another country is not” a charitable activity.

Yet for seven decades Canadians have been recruited into a foreign military that is dispossessing Palestinians. In June United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto and Federation CJA Montréal publicized a webinar titled “Joining the IDF”, which claimed to offer participants “everything you need and want to know about joining the IDF”. On several occasions the Israeli consulate in Toronto has advertised that they have an IDF representative available for personal appointments for those wishing to join the IDF.

According to recent IDF statistics, around 200 Canadians are fighting in the Israeli military at any given time. Canadians who join the IDF enforce the blockade of Gaza, staff West Bank checkpoints and support military strikes. Beyond their direct role in violence, foreigner’s soldiers fighting for Israel are a powerful symbol to pressure and reassure Israelis who may be weary of IDF violence.

At the same time as Canadians are being recruited to join the IDF in violation of the Foreign Enlistment Act, some registered Canadian charities support the Israeli military in probable contravention of Canada Revenue Agency regulations. The Jewish National Fund of Canada has openly financed numerous projects supporting the Israeli military. Other taxpayer subsidized charities such as Canadian Magen David Adom for Israel and Beit Halochem Canada (Aid to Disabled Veterans of Israel) have directly or indirectly supported the IDF. In 2018, the Toronto-based charity HESEG Foundation, which was established “to recognize and honor the contribution of Lone Soldiers to Israel”, spent more than $9 million in Israel.

With registered Canadian charities raising over a quarter billion dollars for Israel-focused projects in 2018, tens of millions dollars in taxpayer subsidized donations are likely supporting the IDF directly or indirectly.

Minister Lebouthillier needs to direct the Canada Revenue Agency to investigate whether taxpayer subsidized charities are supporting the Israeli military. For his part, Minister Lametti must call on the police to investigate illegal Israeli military recruitment in Canada. Canadians supporting Israeli violence against Palestinians should not be allowed to violate the law.

George Bartlett
g.bartlett@sympatico.ca
May 14, 2021

Greetings from Heather McPherson, MP

Thank you for emailing me regarding the violent clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinians in Gaza and East Jerusalem. New Democrats have always stood with oppressed people and we agree that Canada must review and amend its policy on Israel and Palestine.  
Yesterday our leader, Jagmeet Singh, called in the House of Commons for the government to stop arms sales to Israel stating that Canada is arming one side of the conflict, undermining the peace process, and supporting illegal occupation.  

Today, we released the following statement:  We are deeply troubled by the marked escalation of violence in Gaza and in occupied East Jerusalem, after weeks of increased tension over the forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, Israeli police raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque and blocking Palestinian access to popular meeting spots.  
​
Already, Israeli airstrikes have killed 83 Palestinians including 17 children and injured hundreds of others. Rockets indiscriminately launched from Gaza have killed seven Israelis. Urgent de-escalation is needed to prevent further loss of life. Both Palestinians and Israelis have the right to live in safety and security.  

However, there will be no solution to this protracted conflict until there is an end to the 50-year occupation of Palestinian territories, which is illegal under international law.  

For years, successive Liberal and Conservative governments have said they are committed to a two-state solution yet have continued to support the status quo. They have even gone so far as to sell arms to Israel, undermining Canada’s commitment to peace.
 
New Democrats have consistently called on Canada to stop selling arms to countries that violate Human Rights and International Law, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Similarly, we now call on Canada to end arms sales to Israel until the end of the illegal occupation.
 
Canada also must play a stronger role in pushing for a resolution to this conflict, including calling for an end to the illegal occupation, settlements and evictions, recognizing the statehood of Palestine, urging Israel to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate in the Palestinian election, and playing an active role in helping build a just and sustainable solution for Palestinians and Israelis.  

Thank you again. I can assure you that the NDP will continue to be a voice for peace and justice throughout the world.  
​
Yours,
Heather McPherson - MP