Thank you, Mr. Carney, for saying what so many liberal Canadian Jews are saying around our Shabbat tables: this Israeli govt is extremist and they don't represent us or the best of the Israeli people.
Today, I spoke with the President Herzog of Israel.
I reiterated that the appalling treatment of civilians aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla was unacceptable, and that respect for human dignity must be upheld everywhere, at all times.
I underlined the imperative of de-escalation in the Middle East, and the importance of a genuine resumption of dialogue among all parties. Progress toward peace and stability in the region must remain the clear, shared objective.
Today is Nakba Day and the day in which I think about the harsh and sad consequences of Israel's founding. I wrote this op-ed two years ago and it remains just as true now. It's not easy to think about, but it's important that we do.
Opinion: Ben Murane, who heads the New Israel Fund of Canada, argues that while Nakba Remembrance Day may be difficult for Jews, it’s also important https://t.co/R2ZFP7WxYO @benmurane
We’re at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, protesting a policy of endless war, occupation, and state-funded settler terror. To secure a better future for all who live between the river and the sea, we must break the cycle of violence and end the occupation.
Now in Jerusalem: a protest against the death penalty law that was passed yesterday, shortly after this video was taken, police used violence to disperse the protestors.
Please share. Let it be known that many Israelis are enraged by the Ben-Gvirite settler terror and the death penalty law, and that some of them are brave enough to demonstrate and face unprecedented police brutality in the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Canada joins its partners in expressing concern about the death penalty law passed by the Israeli Knesset that, in practice, systematically targets Palestinians. This discriminatory law adds to a growing list of actions which enables illegal settler violence while dehumanizing the Palestinian people. Canada unequivocally opposes its application. We reaffirm our commitment to human rights and the global movement to abolish the death penalty.
💥Former FM Livni: "A sovereign state has territory, one law for all, and a monopoly on weapons. Israel has no agreed-upon borders, there is no more equality under the law but a religious judiciary parallel to state law & armed & violent militias run rampant at will. The Israeli government is dismantling the State of Israel."
Far-right Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Limor Son Har-Melech dressed up as "Death Penalty for Terrorists" for Purim, holding a hanging noose and lethal injection.
Her husband is holding a prop gun labeled "Occupation," airplane labeled "Expulsion," and a house labeled "Settlement."
(Picture taken from Son Har-Melech's X account)
The Islamic Republic can absorb the loss of several key leaders (it is deeply institutionalized and has extensive succession plans). It can also likely survive days of air strikes. But if it does fall, what next? We may wish for a secular democracy to replace it swiftly, but there are two hard realities to contend with: there is no alternative, democratic or otherwise, ready to take over; and the US record at engineering regime change is very poor.
The Islamic Republic is brutally repressive and a major source of regional instability. But what may come next risks being very difficult. And there is zero reason to trust the Trump administration to be smart about the eventual transition.
“We, States of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom condemn the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank" https://t.co/gruaUrApY0
One month ago.
And there was no “extra police presence,” because the Israeli army is collaborating with the terrorist settlers you openly support.
Clown.
This worsening behaviour by the Israeli authorities is an extension of Israel's extremist government -- who are determined to prevent focal scrutiny of their annexation and displacement in the West Bank.
That's why many Canadian Jews fund @YeshDin@BtSIsrael 's important work!
Today a private delegation of Canadians—which included Members of Parliament—was denied entry to the West Bank at an Israeli border crossing. Global Affairs is in contact with the delegation and we have expressed Canada’s objections regarding the mistreatment of these Canadians while attempting to cross.
We are blessed to live in a good country whose leaders and broad public care for their Jewish neighbours.
The danger is real. Yet our friends and allies vastly outnumber the individuals who want to hurt us. We are lucky that this friendship comes from the top.
Horrified by the antisemitic terror attack that has stolen the lives of 11 people at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach today in Australia.
Canada stands with the people of Australia and Jewish people everywhere in sorrow, and determination never to bow to terrorism, violence, hatred and intimidation.
Hanukkah is a time of light amidst the darkness, and a remembrance of the resilience of the Jewish people. May we all support and strengthen that resilience to protect our Jewish communities and to ensure more fundamentally that all people can thrive in every aspect of our society.
I'm so heartened to see the strong responses to the Bondi beach shooting in Australia from many Canadian Muslim leaders and organizations. ❤️🩹
Here are just a few MPs and others who've also stood strongly against hate and antisemitism: https://t.co/oKMd5dpnXp
We are horrified by the shooting today at Bondi Beach, taking the lives of 11 innocent souls.
To the Canadian Jewish community, know that like the Muslim grocer in Australia who reportedly intervened to take down the gunman in this horrifying terrorist attack, we stand with you against hate, anti-Semitism, and in mourning.
After yesterday's dark violence in Australia, I draw strength from the heroism of Ahmed al-Ahmed, who bravely tackled one of the shooters at Bondi Beach and saved lives.
https://t.co/tQOLPfnihe
All Eyes on the Knesset
The Knesset winter session began today, and the fight for democracy and human rights is far from over.
The Israeli government continues in its efforts to erode democratic institutions, weaken the systems of checks and balances, and target civil society. It acts as if it is above the law, and its assault on freedom of expression and protest shows just how deep this crisis runs.
We will be there, in every committee and at every debate, to stop the assaults on democracy and defend the rights of those living in Israel and its territories.
Here is just a partial list of what we will fight for during this Knesset session:
▪️ Blocking the proposed “NGO Bill” designed to weaken civil society.
▪️ Restricting police powers used to suppress protests, especially the violent use of mounted police.
▪️ Ending state-backed settler violence, and demanding accountability and equality before the law.
▪️Stopping the forced eviction of Bedouin communities from their lands.
▪️ Protecting freedom of the press and rejecting any attempt to place the media under government control.
There is a lot of work ahead, but we are ready. And we will make sure that you, our partners, stay informed and involved.
Join us: https://t.co/jilYFBz7GP
(Photo: Yossi Zamir, Shatil-stock)