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Dear John, This week, we mobilized 30,000 Canadians to take action against an anti-Israel motion in the House of Commons, expressed gratitude to MPs for their moral clarity and leadership and support for Israel and Canada’s Jewish community, and applauded the introduction of a resolution that will protect Vaughan’s Jewish community. CIJA
More than 30,000 Jewish Canadians and our allies mobilized against the New Democratic Party (NDP)’s non-binding motion, Canada's actions to promote peace in the Middle East, that threatens Canada’s values, foreign policy, and support of Israel, while giving Hamas what it wants: recognition and support. Following a campaign from CIJA, a staggering 900,000 emails to Members of Parliament and thousands of phone calls to MPs’ offices imploring them to vote no were generated. On March 18, an amended version passed in the House of Commons. While passage was a disappointing result, we must acknowledge and take pride that our determined, strong, vocal stand was instrumental in ensuring the most egregious of the motion’s clauses – the unilateral and immediate recognition of a Palestinian state – was in the end cut from the motion. This alteration prevented a worst-case scenario that would have gone against decades of Canadian foreign policy. Together, we prevented the government from completely caving to the will of an extreme fringe and fully turning its back on Israel. A total of 117 MPs, including Pierre Poilievre's entire Conservative caucus, took a principled stance on the issue, standing with Israel and the Jewish community by voting against the motion. Please help us thank each of them for their moral clarity and leadership.
CIJA has been advocating for strengthened measures, including Safe Access legislation to protect vital community institutions from being targeted by protesters, to curtail months of demonstrations marked by antisemitic chants, hateful signs, and physically intimidating behaviour. These protests, including at two Thornhill synagogues recently, have affected many Jewish residents at community institutions. This week, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca announced his intention to bring forward a Members Resolution to protect Vaughan’s places of worship, schools, childcare facilities, and its hospital from demonstrations and protests. This would include a maximum fine of $100,000 for anyone who violates the bylaw. Learn more.
Community CalendarCommunities are gathering in cities across Canada in support of the people and land of Israel. Find an event near you. March 23-24 | Purim CIJA in the NewsCanada's NDP motion calls for recognition of Palestinian state (The Jerusalem Post) Compassion and solidarity (Winnipeg Free Press) Who's Lobbying for Whom: StrategyCorp out in front again (QP Briefing) Canada : des groupes juifs accusent le gouvernement de freiner la shehita (The Times of Israel) Get more CIJA in the News here. Community CareersAssociate
Director, Communications & Marketing - CIJA |
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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada
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