Explosion of interest in serious discussion about Israel/Palestine leads to many new course offerings, including in Ottawa

Universities across North America are responding to a new thirst for knowledge and information about Israel/Palestine. In a development reminiscent of antivietnam war “teach-ins”, many are offering non credit lectures. In Ottawa, after Carleton University cancelled a popular course in response to what it called “complaints from the Jewish community”, the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine filled the gap. It is now offering its third public lecture series this November. Read more

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Why is the lobby now urging Canada to “rekindle” the Canada Israel Free Trade Agreement?

The Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) came into effect over 25 years ago, on January 1, 1997. Since then Canadian exports to Israel have doubled – but so have our exports to other countries. Exports to Israel still amount to a tiny portion of all Canadian exports. So why is CIJA pressing the Canadian government to expand a trade agreement with a country credibly accused of genocide?

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Canada joins ban on importing goods from Israeli settlements in West Bank, but what about banning the settlers themselves?

Canada joined the U.K., France, and nine other countries who announced they would ban Israeli goods produced in the occupied Palestinian territories as a way to pressure Israel’s government to crack down on settler violence. OFIP asks the Ministers why we don’t also ban the settlers who are committing the violence. Read our letter.

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How long can the Jewish State of Israel survive in the middle east? A US professor of history sees parallels with the ill-fated Christian Crusader States

In 1099, European zealots invaded the middle east to create a Christian “Kingdom of Jerusalem”. But 88 years later it was defeated by Salah al Adin. Professor Roy Casagranda, anticipates that the European project of a Jewish State of Israel might well face the same fate. Read more.

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