Indeed, this is an issue that has blurred the lines significantly towards Canadian Muslims, and many Canadians’ views towards our government with respect to truly upholding human rights domestically and internationally. Historically, our government’s stance towards the case of Palestine was to simply state that it believes in a two state solution, while sweeping the crimes committed against Palestinians in their homeland under the rug. 

This is why the NCCM is strongly committed to ensuring our government takes a principled human rights stance in its policy towards Palestine and its occupied territories. We consistently consult with Palestinian leaders and communities from across Canada to ensure the Canadian- Palestinian voice is centered in our advocacy towards Palestine.

One of the accomplishments we feel was most important – but small in the overall scheme of things – was being a critical organization in leading to the end of weapons export permits in 2024 from Canada to Israel as war crimes waged on. Our principled approach is that no country that is engaging in war crimes should be able to get weapons from Canada. We were proud to successfully stand for that.

Why It Matters

Most recently, our governments stance towards the genocide in Palestine has been many steps behind what a government that truly advocates for international rules based order would take. Despite the slow steps taken by our government, through consistent advocacy, the Muslim Canadian community has scored a number of wins, however our fight for a free Palestine is far from over. It is also noteworthy to recognize that due to widespread anti-Palestinian racism, there is a dedicated effort to silence the Palestinian cause that ultimately aims to enable the continuation of Palestinian ethnic cleansing from their homeland. That is why it is so critical for the NCCM to continually advocate for a free Palestine.

The NCCM’s Advocacy Objective For A Free Palestine

What we at the National Council of Canadian Muslims aim to achieve through our advocacy for Palestine, is to guarantee that the Canadian government, regardless of who is in power respects, upholds, and actively defends the human rights of Palestinians, whether they be in Palestine or here in Canada, and recognizes Palestine as a sovereign state with the people’s right to self-determination.

Consequences Of Slowing Our Palestine Advocacy Down

Our community is facing a critical moment of which we must take advantage. The road ahead is long, but stopping or even slowing down at this time would be a disservice to all the suffering that Palestinians have experienced in the past year, indeed the past 75+ years. The danger of these policy files being forgotten by the community would very quickly put us back to square one. That is why we will not stop advocating for Palestine and Palestinian human rights, but every Canadian, Muslim or not, Palestinian or not, must not stop their advocacy as well. This is an advocacy battle that must be fought collectively.