No Images? Click here A Cry for Home e-update If you are new to MCC's A Cry for Home campaign, please visit our website. June 2019 Issue No. 7
The modernized Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA)May 2, 2019. Testifying before the Senate: Michael Lynk, Alex Neve and Sara AvMatt. (MCC Photo/Anna Vogt) Over the last several months, both the House of Commons and the Senate voted to turn Bill C-85, An Act to amend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, into law. The modernized Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) includes many positive updates, such as gender considerations, labour protections and a Corporate Social Responsibility clause. However, CIFTA lacks two significant human rights-related provisions which make the modernized trade agreement out of step with both International and Canadian Law. First, CIFTA does not include any human rights commitments or requirements for either Canada or Israel. Second, CIFTA doesn’t exclude, or even require official designation, of goods originating or produced in illegal Israeli settlements or industrial parks – settlements being recognized as illegal under both International humanitarian law and Canadian law, and in clear contrast to Canada’s official policy position. In March, MCC joined several other Canadian civil society organizations and international law experts, submitting a letter to all Senators, calling for Bill C-85 to include these essential provisions. And in response to the letter, on May 2 representatives of this group, including Michael Lynk, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, and Sara AvMatt of the Canadian Friends Service Committee, testified before the Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee. Due to these testimonies, some Senators also spoke up during the Senate debate at Third Reading. Unfortunately, CIFTA and Bill C-85 moved forward, unchanged, to pass Third Reading. Yet, during the process, several Senators raised our concerns, seeking clarification and explanations. We often don’t know the full impact of sending letters, speaking in formal spaces, and engaging with the political process, or what kinds of doors we open by speaking out. The changes we asked for were not implemented, yet those requests are now part of the public record. We must continue to speak up, collaborate with others, and speak clearly into these important matters. See the March 27th letter here. Watch the video of the May 2 testimony here. Read an article by Michael Lynk and Alex Neve here. Israeli elections and prospects for a just peaceThe separation wall as seen in Bethlehem, the West Bank. (MCC Photo/Emily Loewen) On April 9 Benjamin Netanyahu made history in Israel by winning a fifth term in a tight race under the Likud party and their coalition. Netanyahu won despite facing multiple corruption charges, scandals and running – yet again – a campaign steeped in fear. However, after almost two months of unsuccessful wheeling and dealing, Netanyahu and Likud made history again – falling short of securing their coalition government, Israelis are set to go to the polls again in September for the second time this year. As with the last election, this campaign will likely be characterized by infighting between Netanyahu and his former allies, Benny Gantz, former Chief of Defence Staff who emerged as Netanyahu’s biggest competitor in the last election, and Avigdor Liberman, former Defence Minister under Netanyahu, and staunch critic of his former party. There’s little reason to believe the tone of the elections campaign will be any different from what we saw in the last round: the front-runners competing over who would use stronger military force and tactics, especially in Gaza, including deliberate associations with violence, all to win votes. It was a campaign driven by fear and dehumanization. It is highly unlikely that any major party leaders and candidates will seriously address long-term systemic injustices, especially the 52+ year Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. See more about the dynamics in last month’s news roundup: Israeli elections & prospects for a just peace The focus of A Cry for HomeMoussa Abassi with his grandchildren at the remains of his home. (MCC Photo/Emily Loewen) Since 2016, MCC has worked hard through the A Cry for Home campaign to raise awareness about the necessity of strong public support to those who are pleading for peace, justice and an end of occupation in Palestine and Israel. We have shared stories, videos and factsheets to deepen our understanding of this complex issue and have encouraged Canadians to engage in various ways, including political activism. We have been encouraged by the engagement of staff, supporters, partners, and a good number of politicians. In early 2019, MCC concluded an initial 3-year period of this campaign by reviewing the progress we have made, as well as identifying opportunities going forward. In the review process one thing became very clear: we have barely scratched the surface of raising public awareness and moving people to act, but public and political engagement is slowly growing. Over the next two years, MCC aims to focus particularly on providing opportunities for individuals and groups to connect with each other in the different provinces and regions, through the continued use of resources such as the Palestine Land Exercise. ResourcesBethlehem, West Bank. (MCC Photo/Elizabeth Kessler) The Cry for Home website offers a variety of resources for continued learning about the conflict in Palestine and Israel and MCC’s work in the region. These resources include factsheets on child detentions, settlements, home demolitions, refugees, international law, the wall and more. There are stories and videos from MCC partners in Palestine and Israel, along with a booklet on frequently asked questions which includes sections on recent history, what the Bible says about Palestine and Israel, Palestinian Christians and MCC’s work in Palestine and Israel. Contact us if you would like to learn more about the Palestine Land Exercise, a 90-minute experiential learning tool designed to help participants understand the history and current context. Stay in touchPlease help us spread the word about A Cry for Home by sharing this e-update. If you have any questions or concerns about A Cry for Home, please be in touch: acryforhome@mcccanada.ca Thank-you for joining MCC in responding to the cry of our Palestinian and Israeli partners! |