Protect Palestinian Children Now

Light brown background with black and red text "Protect Palestinian Children Now!" with a photo of a child holding a flag. On the right is a photo of a young boy holding a younger girl while looking up in the sky in fear.

We’re coming together to demand the Canadian government condemn Israel’s killing, injuring, and detaining of children. We support the call for Canada to impose a full, immediate arms embargo on Israel.

Protect Palestinian Children Now is a follow-up to Defense for Palestinian Children International’s (DCPI) No Way to Treat a Child 2018 campaign. As part of the 2018 campaign, over 20 MPs signed a letter calling for action to protect Palestinian children and hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions in regard to military detention and treatment of Palestinian children.

Table of Contents

  1. Latest Updates
  2. Why the Updated Campaign?
  3. Why Focus on Children?
  4. What is the goal of the PPCN Campaign?
  5. Take Action Now
  6. MP Candidate Endorsements
  7. Organizational Endorsements
  8. Additional Information on Israel’s Mistreatment of Children
  9. Additional Posts on PPCN

Latest Updates

Share this flyer with your community and ask local candidates if they will support the PPCN campaign!

Are you an MP Candidate who wants to endorse this campaign? Fill out this form. Want to know more about the campaign? Check out the info below.

Why the updated campaign?

As Israel has escalated its “chronic, insidious genocide” over the last 16 months, Palestinian children have not been spared. Rather, they continue to be targeted, injured, tortured, and killed. Israel has a long history of cruelly targeting Palestinian children through:

  • its disproportionate killing in all its military incursions,
  • its incremental genocide of injuring in bombing and shooting, including the knees and eyes of children and leaving them maimed for life,
  • its withholding of essential health care and nutritional needs,
  • the intentional terrorizing of children with nightly sonic boom flights over Gaza, and ongoing bombing, and through acts such as night raids and house demolitions
  • widespread and systematic ill-treatment of Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system

Why focus on children?

While we advocate for the rights of all Palestinian people, there is ample moral, legal, and ethical weight to an argument that children shouldn’t be injured, imprisoned, or killed. 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. 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. This is embedded in Canadian law in the Geneva Convention Act.

Further, there should be nothing controversial about this call to action.

What is the goal of the PPCN campaign?

The main goal: to obtain endorsements / support from Canadian MPs to

condemn Israel’s killing, injuring, and detaining of Palestinian children, and the trauma that is being inflicted on children through the military occupation and genocide. This includes insisting in a military arms embargo by Canada, and that Canada take immediate and urgent steps to insist Israel comply with its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the recent ICJ Advisory Opinion.

Additionally, PPCN aims to:

  1. Highlight the Canadian’s governments legal obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention / Geneva Convention Act and Israel’s obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
  2. Ensure the protection of the rights of children around the world is a priority of the Canadian government; and
  3. Amplify the decades long work of Al-Haq, Defense for Children International Palestine and other human rights groups who have investigated, documented, and exposed human rights violations against children.

Take Action Now

For individuals

  1. Ask your MP Candidates to endorse the PPCN campaign. Use our printable materials to share with your community and candidates.
  2. Commit to contacting your MP directly and (optionally) get connected with other folks in your area.
  3. Have you heard from MP? Let us know by emailing supportPPCN@pm.me

For MP Candidates or Senators

If you are an MP candidate or Senator and want to support this campaign, fill out this form or email supportPPCN@pm.me.

For organizations

If you would like to add your name to this campaign, fill out this form.

Initial Organizational Signatories

Just Peace Advocates

Ontario Palestinian Rights Association

Palestinian and Jewish Unity

Defense for Children International Palestine

MP Candidate Endorsements

As of April 1, 2025, a total of 75 MP candidates have endorsed the PPCN campaign. This includes 13 candidates who endorsed as MPs and are now running for re-election.

A white background with a colourful bar graph showing the number of MPs by province and party. The majority of the endorsements are from the Green Party, NDP, and Communist Party in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia.

Additionally, two Registered Parties and Party Leaders have endorsed the PPCN campaign: Communist Party of Canada and the Rhinoceros Party.

Green Party of Canada

Candidate NameProvinceRidingIncumbent?
David MacFarquharNB13008 Saint John KennebecasisNo
Jessica WeggBC59021 North Island Powell RiverNo
Lux BurgessON35019 CambridgeNo
Valerie BrooksON47014 Yorkton MelvilleNo
Jayden BaldonadoAB48004 Calgary CentreNo
Troy RifeON35094 ScarboroughGuildwoodRouge ParkNo
Lilian BarreraON35022 DavenportNo
Chris MarkevichBC59009 Courtenay AlberniNo
Elizabeth MayBC59029 Saanich-Gulf IslandsYes
Mike MorriceON35048 Kitchener CentreYes
Kristian SolarikQC24007 Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—HuntingdonNo
Jennifer PurdyON35043 KanataNo
Andy ShadrackAB48030 Medicine Hat—Cardston—WarnerNo
Bertha Fuchsman-SmallQC24005 Argenteuil—La Petite-NationNo
Lilian BarreraON35022 DavenportNo

New Democratic Party

Candidate NameProvinceRidingIncumbent?
Lesley ThompsonAB48018 Edmonton ManningNo
Ali BahmanON35113 Vaughan WoodbridgeNo
Cassie MacKayPE11004 MalpequeNo
Daria Juüdi-HopeON35046 Kingston and the IslandsNo
Serge LandryNB13007 Moncton DieppeNo
Pascale MateckiQC24028 Hull AylmerNo
Hugues Boily MaltaisQC24033 Lac-Saint-JeanNo
Yusuf UlukanligilON35120 York CentreNo
Ty BoulayNB13001 Acadie—BathurstNo
Alexandre BoulericeQC24065 Rosemont—La-Petite-PatrieYes
Heather McPhersonAB48022 Edmonton StrathconaYes
Taylor BachrachBC59031 Skeena–Bulkley ValleyYes
Gord JohnsBC59009 Courtenay—AlberniYes
Peter JulianBC59020 New Westminster–Burnaby–MaillardvilleYes
Laurel CollinsBC59042 VictoriaYes
Alistair MacGregorBC59010 Cowichan–Malahat–LangfordYes
Lisa Marie BarronBC59019 Nanaimo—LadysmithYes
Blake DesjarlaisAB48017 Edmonton GriesbachYes
Keith MorrisonNS12005 Dartmouth—Cole HarbourNo
Samantha GreenON35109 Toronto CentreNo
Jorge Requena RamosMB46013 Winnipeg South CentreNo
Beau ShawAB48004 Calgary CentreNo
Shinade AllderON35055 London WestNo
Tommy BureauQC24059 Québec CentreNo
Maya BozorgzadON35049 Kitchener—ConestogaNo
Nicki Lyons-MacFarlaneNB13003 Fredericton—OromoctoNo
Rachel Loewen WalkerSK47011 Saskatoon WestNo

Communist Party of Canada

Candidate NameProvinceRidingIncumbent?
Elizabeth RowleyON35007 Beaches—East YorkNo
Stéphane DoucetQC24054 PapineauNo
Adrien WelshQC24037 Laurier–Sainte-MarieNo
Manuel JohnsonQC24035 LaSalle–Émard–VerdunNo
Joseph MarkhamON35119 Windsor WestNo
Drew GarvieON35112 University–RosedaleNo
Rimmy RiarhON35105 Taiaiako’n–Parkdale–High ParkNo
Cashton PerryON35079 Ottawa CentreNo
Jeanne McGuireON35041 Humber River–Black CreekNo
Dave McKeeON35022 DavenportNo
Michael SpeersON35005 Barrie–Springwater–Oro-MedonteNo
Sam CrêteNL10006 St. John’s – EastNo
June PattersonNB13003 Fredericton-OromoctoNo
Cam ScottMB46013 Winnipeg South CentreNo
Sarah BorbridgeMB46011 Winnipeg NorthNo
Kimball CariouBC59036 Vancouver EastNo
Salman ZafarBC59034 Surrey NewtonNo
Ryan AbbottBC59033 Surrey CentreNo
Robert CrooksBC59012 Esquimalt-Saanich-SookeNo
Christian BourqueAB48022 Edmonton StrathconaNo
Corinne BensonAB48021 Edmonton SoutheastNo
Alex BoykowichAB48017 Edmonton GriesbachNo
Naomi RankinAB48015 Edmonton CentreNo
Jonathan TrautmanAB48007 Calgary EastNo

Liberal Party of Canada

Candidate NameProvinceRidingIncumbent?
Salma ZahidON35093 Scarborough Centre–Don Valley EastYes
Nathaniel Erskine-SmithON35007 Beaches–East YorkYes

Parti Rhinoceros Party

Candidate NameProvinceRidingIncumbent?
Chinook BlaisNL10001 AvalonNo
Lysane Picker-PaquinQC24062 Rimouski—La MatapédiaNo
Stephen HensleyQC24052 Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—WestmountNo
Sébastien BeaulieuQC24021 Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—NitassinanNo
Adam SmithON35008 Bowmanville—Oshawa NorthNo

Independents

Candidate NameProvinceRidingIncumbent?
Spencer J RocchiON35020 CarletonNo

Along with endorsing the campaign, some MPs and MP candidates have provided additional statements about their support for Protecting Palestinian Children Now. You can find these statements here.

Additional Endorsing Organizations

As of April 1, 2025, a total of 115 organizations have endorsed this campaign from 11 different countries (Canada, France, Sri Lanka, UK, US, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Palestine, Egypt, and The Netherlands).

Academics for Palestine-Concordia
Al-Quds
Americans Committed to Justice and Truth
Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians
Australia Solidarity with Latin America
Axe & Reel
Baltimore Nonviolence Center
Bathurst Street United Church
Brampton4Palestine
Bridges Not Borders – Créons des ponts
Bruce R. Allen Paralegal
Canada Palestine Association
Canada China Friendship Promotion Associationn
Canada Stand Up for Palestinian Children’s Rights
Canada-Wide Peace & Justice Network (CWPJN)
Canadian BDS Coalition and International BDS Allies
Canadian Foreign Policy Institute
Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council
Canadian Palestinian Social Association (CPSA)
Canadians for Justice and Peace In the Middle East, Saskatoon Chapter
Canadians in Support of Refugees in Dire Need
Carleton for Palestine Coalition
Catholics for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land
Coalition Against Pinkwashing
Collectif Le Récif
Council of Canadians, South Shore Chapter
Cube Gallery
CUPE Local 3902
Daraja Press
Dark Woods of Grief Trainings and Programs
Davenport Aid Brigade
Denman Islanders for Climate Action and Social Justice
Donvalley4palestine
Eastern Shore For Palestine
Early Childhood Development Intercultural Partnerships
Edmonton Small Press Assn
EtobicokeNorth4Palestine
Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Island
France Palestine Mental Health Network
Friends of Palestine Canada
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
Global Peace Alliance BC
Global United for Peace and Justice
Greater Toronto 4 BDS
Inminds Human Rights Group
Independent Jewish Voices
Independent Jewish Voices Toronto & York Region
Independent Jewish Voices BDS Toronto & York Region
Independent Jewish Voices Carleton
Independent Jewish Voices Vancouver
Independent Jewish Voices Victoria
International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
International Fellowship of Reconciliation
Jewish Anti-Zionist Collective Toronto (JAZCto)
Jewish Network for Palestine
Jewish Voice for Peace Central Ohio Chapter
Just Peace Committee
Justice For All Canada
Kairos Palestine
Kiko
Labour for Palestine Ottawa
Labour for Palestine Victoria
Les Artistes pour la Paix
Longueuil pour la Palestine
Manitoba Healthcare Workers for Palestine
Maquila Solidarity Network
Melanin Mosaic Therapy
Media Review Network
Mississauga-Streetsville for Palestine
Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO)
Montreal for a World BEYOND War
Muslim Peace Fellowship
National Council on Canada Arab Relations
Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine-Israel (NMJPI)
Oakville-Halton 4 Palestine
Occupy Bergen County
Occupy UofT
Ontario Palestinian Rights Association (OPRA)
Ottawa Healthcare Professionals for Palestine
Palestine House-Toronto
Palestine Solidarity Ottawa Centre
Palestine-UK Child Psychotherapists
Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
Palestinian Canadian Community Association
Pansy Club
Pax Christi Toronto
Peace Alliance Winnipeg
ReFocus Consulting
Regina Peace Council
réseau francophone santé mentale et solidarité avec la Palestine
Resistance Kitchen
Retired Teachers Divest BC
Rights Action
Rohingya Human Rights
RootsAction.org
Socialist Action / Ligue pour l’Action socialiste
Solidarity for Our Struggles
Solidarité Sherbrooke Gaza
Solidarity with Palestine – St. John’s
Spadina-Fort York for Palestine
Students for Justice in Palestine at Carleton University
Teachers for Future Turtle Island
Teachers For Palestine-Toronto
The Palestine Justice Network of the Presbyterian Church USA Bay Area
The Palestinian Rights Committee Albany
The United Jewish People’s Order
Toronto Palestinian Families
Toronto World Beyond War
Toronto-St. Paul’s for Palestine
USW Local 7536
Victoria Peace Coalition
WESPAC Foundation, Inc.
Windsor Solidarity with Palestine
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
World BEYOND War

Don’t see your name here but want to endorse the PPCN campaign? Fill out this form.

Looking for more information on Israel’s mistreatment of children?

Since 1967, Israel has operated two separate legal systems in the same territory. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers are subject to the Israeli civilian and criminal legal system whereas Palestinians live under military law. Israel has the dubious distinction of being the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes between 500 and 700 children in military courts each year.

DCIP reported on August 21, 2024, that “Israeli forces are systematically detaining and torturing Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, including using some as human shields.”

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