No Images? Click here 50 years of occupation is enough!This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories (West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem). Two generations of Palestinians have lived with confiscation of their land, demolition of their homes and orchards, restrictions to their movement, and violation of basic human rights. Meanwhile, Israel’s policies of oppression also harm the moral fabric of Israeli society. At an official level, Canada considers the occupation illegal – as does most of the world. Among other things, the official policy states:
Despite the policy, the current government has been very reticent to speak out on these issues. Read more about the 50th anniversary and take action to call Canada to live into its policy. Parliamentary updateParliament is working hard to push through its legislative agenda prior to the end of June. Our office is following two bills in particular: 1. Bill S-235, An Act to amend the Prohibiting Investments in Cluster Munitions. This is a Senate bill which, if passed, would ban investments in corporations that produce cluster munitions. While Canada prohibited the use and manufacture of cluster munitions in 2015, it did not prohibit investment in cluster munitions. This bill would close that loophole. 2. Bill C-47, An Act to amend the Export and Import Permits Act and the Criminal Code (amendments permitting the accession to the Arms Trade Treaty and other amendments). If passed, this would mean that Canada would finally accede to the international Arms Trade Treaty, a multi-lateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional (non-nuclear weapons). Stay tuned for more analysis and information.
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