Just Peace Advocates led the drafting and obtaining of sponsors for three parliamentary petitions during 2022.
Two were sponsored by Liberal MPs and one by an NDP member. They included E-3679 sponsored by Liberal MP Erskine-Smith (#StandWithThe6), E-3608 sponsored by Liberal Salma Zahid (#NoMilitaryLaw4Children), and E-3810 sponsored by NDP Matthew Green (#NoCanadians4IDF). Close to 5,000 signed these, however, two of these, had earlier petitions that could not proceed when the 2021 election was declared, so with those signatures close to 18,000 people had supported these petitions related to Palestine.
While responses were disappointing, they were not surprising. It is a sign of the work that needs to continue, especially in light of Canada’s continuing to maintain supports shared values with the new Israeli coalition government.
At least the Canadian government acknowledged: The Fourth Geneva Convention applies in the occupied territories and establishes Israel’s obligations as an occupying power, in particular with respect to the humane treatment of the inhabitants of the occupied territories.
We also supported the promotion of two other petitions, one E-3775 related to Yemen and stopping Saudi arms trade, and the other E-3821 related to the purchase of fighter jets. Close to an additional 3,000 people signed these petitions.
Disappointing responses to Parliamentary Petitions
During 2022, the Liberal government responded to two petitions sponsored by Liberal MPs regarding Palestine.
While it was reassuring that MP Erskine-Smith sponsored E-3679 parliamentary petition calling for Canada to take a stance of support regarding the six Palestinian based human rights groups designated as terrorist groups by Israel, and MP Salma Zahid sponsored a E-3608 parliamentary petition calling for Canada to hold Israel accountable in its violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention in regard to children in Palestine.
Also, disappointing was the response from the government to the NDP sponsored petition to stop illegal Israeli military recruiting E-3810.
The Actual Responses
E-3679 (#StandWithThe6)
Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob Oliphant
Canada is a steadfast friend and ally of Israel and friend of the Palestinian people. Canada also believes that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority must fully respect international human rights and humanitarian law, which is key to ensuring the protection of civilians, and can contribute to the creation of a climate conducive to achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy and remains a priority for the Government of Canada. Canada also believes that civil society is a critical element of inclusive and democratic societies.
Canada rejects terrorism in all forms. The Government of Canada does not tolerate any misuse or diversion of assistance to support terrorism or terrorist entities listed in accordance with Canadian legislation, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Canada is committed to providing international assistance to help meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people, including Palestinians. Accountability and safeguards are central to the management of this assistance. The Government of Canada provides assistance for Palestinians through organizations with proven track records of delivering assistance effectively and in accordance with Canadian requirements. These organizations have an on-the-ground presence, as well as strong anti-fraud, anti-corruption, monitoring, and audit and evaluation practices. Canada exercises enhanced due diligence for all international assistance funding for Palestinians—this includes strong anti-terrorism provisions in funding agreements, ongoing oversight, regular site visits, and systematic screening of organizations and their key decision makers against Government of Canada terrorist lists.
Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob Oliphant
Canada is a steadfast friend and ally of Israel and friend of the Palestinian people. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral aspect of Canadian efforts abroad, and children’s rights are a top concern of our foreign policy. Canada is a strong advocate of the effort to end all violations of human rights against children, particularly in situations of humanitarian emergencies and armed conflict. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, and Canada ratified the Convention in 1991.
Canadian officials continue to closely monitor the status of children’s rights in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Canada believes that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority must fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law. Respect for these laws is key to ensuring the protection of civilians, and contributes to the creation of a climate conducive to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. The Fourth Geneva Convention applies in the occupied territories and establishes Israel’s obligations as an occupying power, in particular with respect to the humane treatment of the inhabitants of the occupied territories.
Canada provides significant support to Palestinians in areas such as humanitarian assistance, growth that works for everyone, inclusive governance and access to quality education, particularly for refugee children and children with disabilities. This support also seeks to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Canada encourages Israel and the Palestinians to resume dialogue and direct negotiations to foster peace and stability.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Parliamentary Secretary Gary Anandasangaree
The Foreign Enlistment Act (FEA) prohibits Canadians from enlisting “in the armed forces of any foreign state at war with a friendly foreign state” and prohibits anyone in Canada from inducing another person to enlist with such armed forces. Specifically, the FEA prohibits:
A Canadian leaving or attempting to leave to join the armed forces of any foreign state at war with any friendly foreign state;
Inducing or tricking a person to leave to join the armed forces of any foreign state at war with any friendly foreign state;
Anyone in Canada transporting such a person;
Anyone in Canada building, supplying or militarily enhancing any ship that is to be used by the armed forces of any foreign state at war with any friendly foreign state; and
Anyone recruiting anyone in Canada to join the armed forces of a foreign state or other armed force operating in that state – except for the recruitment by foreign consular or diplomatic officers or agents in enlisting persons who are nationals of the country they represent and non-Canadians, in accordance with the law.
The FEA defines “armed forces” as including army, naval and air forces or services but excludes medical and other services engaged in humanitarian work for or under the Canadian Red Cross or other recognized Canadian humanitarian group.
The responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of offences under the FEA rests with independent law enforcement and prosecution services.
E-3608 sponsored by Liberal Salma Zahid (#NoMilitaryLaw4Children)
Canadian Parliamentary Petition highlights the work of Al-Haq & DCIP regarding Palestine’s children
The Petition to the Government of Canada read as follows
Whereas:
- The protection of the rights of children around the world is a priority of the Canadian government;
- As signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Israel has an obligation to ensure basic due process rights and the absolute prohibition against torture and ill-treatment of children in accordance with international juvenile justice standards;
- The Secretary General of the United Nations 2019 report on children and armed conflict on June 20, 2019, reiterated the Special Representative’s “call upon Israel to uphold international juvenile justice standards, as well as to cease the use of administrative detention for children and end all forms of ill-treatment in detention, and to cease any attempted recruitment of detained children as informants”;
- Israel automatically and systematically prosecutes children in military courts that lack fundamental fair trial rights and protections;
- For over 30 years, Al-Haq, Defense for Children International Palestine and other human rights groups have investigated, documented, and exposed human rights violations against children; and
- Under Article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, all high signatories, of which Canada is one, are required to take actions to ensure that violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention do not occur under any circumstance.
We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to call for an urgent study by the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development to review Israel’s treatment of children in Israeli occupied Palestine and compliance with its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
#NoWay2TreatAChild
Almost 2,000 signed this petition, in addition to almost 5,000 signed earlier petition with the same wording which was abandoned by the Government when the writ was dropped to call the 2021 fall federal election.
Presented by Liberal MP Salma Zahid on February 16, 2022, Presentation of E-3609
Disappointing responses: Two Parliamentary Petitions presented on Palestine by Liberal MPs, #StandWithTheSix # and No Way To Treat a Child
E-3679 sponsored by Liberal MP Erskine-Smith (#StandWithThe6)
The petition to the Government of Canada read:
Whereas:
- On 22 October 2021, the Israeli Defense Minister designated six leading Palestinian civil society organizations (CSOs) as terrorist organizations under the Israel Anti-Terror Law of 2016, including Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq Law in the Service of Man (Al-Haq), Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense
- { for Children International-Palestine (DCI-P), the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), and the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees (UPWC);
- Designations may result in seizure of CSO assets, office closures, and the arrest and jailing of staff members by the Israeli authorities;
- UN Special Rapporteurs condemned Israel’s designation of Palestinian human rights defenders as terrorist organizations stating, “the misuse of counter-terrorism measures in this way by the government of Israel undermines the security of all”;
- The designations violate the freedoms of opinion, expression, and association, amounting to prohibited acts of apartheid under Article 7(2)(h) of the Rome Statute; and
- Canada is obliged under Article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to ensure that violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention do not occur under any circumstance.
We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Call upon the Israeli authorities to immediately rescind the designations and end all efforts aimed at delegitimizing and criminalizing Palestinian human rights defenders;
2. Support Palestinians seeking the fundamental human rights, justice and accountability; and
3. Honour its obligation to ensure Israel’s compliance with international law.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Beaches—East York) presented the petition on February 8, 2022
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to table today.
First, over 1,500 Canadians have signed a petition raising concerns about Israel’s designation of six leading Palestinian civil society organizations as terrorist organizations. They note the concerns raised by the UN special rapporteurs condemning the designation, and they call on the Government of Canada to call upon Israeli authorities to immediately rescind the designations and to end all efforts aimed at delegitimizing and criminalizing Palestinian human rights defenders.
#StandWithTheSix
Thank you to Liberal Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York Nathaniel Erskine-Smith for sponsoring.
Other related support:
Defending Palestinian Human Rights is not “Terrorism” 50+ organizations (representing more than 60 groups) signed the statement.
Subsequently, over 6,000 letters have been sent by individuals to Canadian elected officials.
Over 50 organizations endorsed the statement that Defending Palestinian Human Rights is not “Terrorism”
Disappointing responses: Two Parliamentary Petitions presented on Palestine by Liberal MPs, #StandWithTheSix # and No Way To Treat a Child
E-3810 sponsored by NDP Matthew Green (#NoCanadians4IDF)
The petition to the Government of Canada read:
Whereas:
The Foreign Enlistment Act states that “[a]ny person who, within Canada, recruits or otherwise induces any person or body of persons to enlist or to accept any commission or engagement in the armed forces of any foreign state or other armed forces operating in that state is guilty of an offence.”;
The Israeli consulate in Toronto has advertised on several occasions an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) representative available for personal appointments for those wishing to join the IDF, not just those who are required to do mandatory service;
The IDF has intentionally targeted, shot and injured at least two Canadian citizens since 2015;
The IDF has repeatedly contravened the Fourth Geneva Convention, and illegally attacked Syria and Lebanon by missile or by drone;
The Ambassador of Canada conducted an event on January 16, 2020, honouring Canadians serving in the IDF; and
A formal complaint has been filed with the Minister of Justice regarding recruiting taking place within Canada to enlist persons into the IDF.
We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to undertake a thorough investigation of those who have recruited or facilitated recruiting for the Israel Defense Forces, and, if warranted, lay charges against those involved in recruiting and encouraging recruiting for the IDF.
Matthew Green sponsors Parliamentary Petition to Investigate Illegal Israeli Military Recruiting
1251 signed the petition on investigate illegal Israeli military recruiting
Government responded: September 20, 2022
In 2021, MP Green sponsored E-3337 which garnered 7,769 signatures. This petition did not proceed due to the election being called, E-3810 uses the same wording.
The petition closed March 27, 2022, at 4:38 p.m. (EDT).
Read more about the request to investigate illegal military recruiting in Canada.
The complaints submitted to the Minister of Justice and the RCMP.
Webinar and complaint regarding illegal subsidies to organizations that support the Israeli military.
50+ organizations support the campaign: This campaign has been supported by Just Peace Advocates, Canadian Foreign Policy Institute, Palestinian and Jewish Unity, World BEYOND War, and the Palestinian Canadian Congress, along with other organizations that have endorsed the #NoCanadians4IDF
Other supporting actions:
Write a letter to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regarding illegal subsidies to Israeli military
Write a letter to the RCMP: It has been a year, what is the status of your investigation of Illegal Israeli Military Recruiting in Canada?
#NoCanadians4IDF
Other petitions that Just Peace Advocates supported through network efforts
Parliamentary Petition E-3775
No War on Yemen
Sponsored by Matthew Green
1345 signatures
Closed: May 24, 2022
Just Peace Advocates supported through efforts of the Yemen/Stop Saudi Arms Trade committee of the Canada-wide Peace Network
#CanadaStopArming Saudi
Parliamentary Petition E-3821
Canada Don’t Buy Fighter Jets
1367 signed
Sponsored by: Bardish Chagger
Government responded: June 20, 2022
Just Peace Advocates supported through efforts of the Stop Fighter Jet Purchase committee of the Canada-wide Peace Nework
#NoFighterJets
