The celebration took place in Ottawa's most elegant hotel. Guests included people from all walks of life. The hosts showed pride in their culture and their yearning for justice. The Palestinians of Ottawa were celebrating their national day. They number some 50,000 in Canada. They are contributing to Canada, but they haven't forgotten their heritage and say they never will. Ambassador Said Hamad spoke as slides displayed life under occupation. He said Palestinians face enormous difficulties, but that he was sure that Palestine will soon be independent. New Democratic Party Member of Parliament and foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar emphasized his party's commitment to a just peace and a two-state solution. Rick Dystra, parliamentary secretary to the minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism, said his government favors a just peace. The government's policy belies his claim, but it's interesting that he attended and spoke of a fair settlement. Canada is a minor player in the Middle East, but remains interested. Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney spoke to the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs committee in Montreal. He criticized anti-Semitism in Canada that included turning away Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis. But he added that strong disagreement with Israeli policies does not mean that one is an anti-Semite. Canadian ministers imply these days that criticism of Israel is based on anti-Semitism rather than on Israeli policies. A few weeks ago Canadian Friends of Peace Now (CFPN) invited Yossi Alpher, a former director of the Jafee Center for Strategic Studies, on a speaking tour. He called IranIsrael's most important issue and SyriaIsrael's most urgent problem. But he added that Israel has imposed apartheid on Palestinians and that Israel cannot survive as a democratic Jewish state if it keeps Palestinians under occupation. He said that Israel is becoming isolated and that the boycott Israel movement is growing. He stated that Israel will probably withstand international pressure because of the annual US aid of $3 billion, Israel's trade with Russia, China, and other countries and its high-tech industry. CFPN supports the Peace Now movement of Israel which started in 1978 and which opposes Israeli occupation and settlements beyond the 1967 borders. Independent Jewish Voices arranged the screening in an Ottawa church of a movie that showed how Israel imposes apartheid on Palestinians. IJV contends that the occupation of the West Bank and the settlements are illegal and damaging to Israel and to Palestinians. It also opposes the laws that discriminate against non-Jews in Israel and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Israel. The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations arranged a speech by Israeli-Canadian filmmaker journalist Lia Tarachansky on her experiences in Israel. NCCAR seeks to present Canadians with authentic information about the Middle East. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East also seeks to educate Canadians, but the organization pushes for a just peace more actively. It is trying to help Canadians understand the causes of the conflict in Syria and is urging the government to assist Syrian civilians and to seek a peaceful and fair solution. In addition to distributing its recommendations, in April 2012 and in March 2013 CJPME met 50 Members of Parliament to urge them to help implement those suggestions. CJPME also distributed fact sheets and news releases to the media, academics and others. CJPME and other groups also arranged vigils and demonstrations at Parliament Hill and the Human Rights Monument in May to highlight the expulsion of 70,000 Palestinians from their homes in 1948 and Israel's refusal to let them return. It asked MPs to speak out about the Palestinians, detained without charge or trial by Israel for years, and the torture-death of Arafat Jaradat. It arranged an exhibition of children's drawings - A Child's View from Gaza - in several cities in cooperation with other organizations. The art depicted children's experiences during Israel's attack on Gaza in 2008-2009. The organization also arranged ads in one city in subways, buses and other public places showing the displacement of Palestinians and the illegal settlements built on their occupied and annexed land. It is hoping to show the same display in other cities. CJPME is a small organization with limited resources compared to the rich, powerful Israeli lobby. But its volunteers are dedicated. Meanwhile, it was reported that Israel and Taiwan were the favored destinations of Members of Parliament last year for free travel, the hosts being the Canadian Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association of Taiwan. CIJA invited 14 MPs to Israel last year on “parliamentary missions.” MPs are allowed to accept such free trips if they relate to their work and are made public. NCCAR is sponsoring a two-week trip this November to enable Canadians to visit the holy places, refugee camps, Bedouins and life under occupation as well as the Knesset and the Holocaust Museum. But after looking at the cost - $2,550 plus a similar amount for the air fare - I decided to pass. — Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan is a retired Canadian journalist, civil servant and refugee judge
