Palestinian Human Rights
We are raising voices and engaging in policy work with Canadian-Palestinian leaders to fight for Palestinian human rights.
WHAT'S
HAPPENING
MPP Sarah Jama being asked to remove Keffiyeh at the Ontario Legislative Assembly
Palestinian Human Rights
A Just Approach From Canada on Foreign Policy Towards Palestine
For Canadian Muslims, the case of Palestine anchors deep in many of our hearts. The deep injustice we have seen stretches back decades, prior to 1948, and has been weighing on Muslims across the globe since. In 2023 and 2024, the ICJ claimed that a plausible genocide is taking place in Gaza – and millions of Canadians watched in horror as we witnessed the daily images.
NCCM’s human rights policy work on Palestine pushes leaders to make sure that Canada doesn’t have a double standard when it comes to human rights.
We consistently consult and work in conjunction with Palestinian leaders and communities from across Canada to ensure that the Canadian-Palestinian voice is centered in our advocacy.
We urge that all parties recognize that the Palestinian people are human beings and that no one deserves to be unjustly occupied, discriminated against, or killed. We urge Canadian leaders to take action as they would in relation to any country where human rights abuses are taking place.
Our work is far from over.
When Canada fails to act, we lose our place as a nation that consistently stands for human rights. We have to stand on the side of international law, human rights, and against the attack or murder of any civilian, regardless of their faith.
NCCM HAS SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED FOR:
- Lawmakers to implement a one-way weapons export ban to Israel while human rights abuses are ongoing.
- The Government of Canada to accept the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu. This means that Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to Canada.
- Canada to recognize anti-Palestinian racism as a matter of policy, becoming the first G-7 nation to do so.
NCCM CEO Stephen Brown addresses the press following the successful adoption of the Israel-Gaza motion.
IMPACT STATS
.96 Million
Emails Sent Through Our Servers to Canadian Leaders in 2024 urging them to stand for human rights equally.
$100 Million
That was initially paused by the Canadian government to UNRWA, keeping lifesaving aid from the Palestinian people while a war raged on. We successfully worked with others to advocate for UNRWA funding to resume – and are going to Federal Court to continue to protect that.
45%
of Canadians believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, compared to only 23% who disagree that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
A SNAPSHOT | OUR WORK
2021 - Canadian Politicians Speak Up to Condemn the Attacks on Al Aqsa
In May 2021, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) took decisive action in response to the alarming invasions at Al-Aqsa Mosque. We issued a strong condemnation of the attacks on Palestinian worshippers during Ramadan, calling on the Canadian government to denounce these violations unequivocally.
Our efforts, alongside those of over 100,000 Canadians who reached out to their representatives, culminated in a joint letter of hundreds of organizations, to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau. This letter urged Canada to formally demand an immediate end to the violence in Jerusalem and the forced evictions in Sheikh Jarrah.
In response, and with the continued engagement of our team, the Canadian government issued several statements. On May 8, 2021, Minister Garneau expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in Jerusalem, emphasizing the need for all parties to de-escalate and avoid unilateral actions.
Subsequently, on May 12, 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the House of Commons, condemning the violence at Al-Aqsa Mosque. He called for an end to the hostilities and a commitment to peace and security.
Dozens of other politicians at a multi-partisan level joined in to speak out in calling for an end to Israeli incursions at Al Aqsa.
2021 - NCCM went to the Canadian Judicial Council on the Justice Spiro Matter
In August 2020, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law’s search for a new director of the International Human Rights Program concluded with the hiring committee’s unanimous decision to appoint Dr. Valentina Azarova. However, the Dean of Law overturned the recommendation, just after Justice Spiro, a significant donor, had discussed concerns about hiring Dr. Azarova with a university official. Azarova is a prominent international law and human rights scholar who has done work on Israel’s human rights abuses in the occupied territories. Justice Spiro put the impartiality and integrity of the Tax Court of Canada in jeopardy when he interfered in the appointment process at the University of Toronto’s law faculty. The CJC found that Justice Spiro’s conduct put the public confidence in the integrity, impartiality, and independence of the judiciary at risk. The Tax Court also ordered that Justice Spiro was not allowed to hear from Muslim claimants.
2022 - NDP New Positions on Palestinian Human Rights
After sustained calls from the Muslim community, among other communities, the New Democratic Party (NDP) issued new positions on the occupation of Palestinian territories. This includes the condemnation of illegal Israeli settlements, Israeli plans for annexation, and demolition of Palestinian homes.
2023 - Canada Condemns Increased Settlement Growth
As a result of sustained advocacy, Ottawa made a major announcement in January 2023, condemning the path of dangerous escalation embarked upon by the Government of Israel. Israel’s policy meant more illegal settlements on Palestinian land and further impediments toward peace.
October 2023 - The Calls for a Ceasefire Grow as the War in Gaza Escalates
As more and more Canadians were watching, parties like the NDP stood up, after continued engagement, to call for a ceasefire. In a historic move, dozens of Liberal MPs signed a letter calling for an immediate ceasefire and a commitment to protecting Palestinian civilians. This was a direct result of tireless advocacy from organizations, community leaders, and everyday Canadians who refused to stay silent.
November 2023 - NCCM Organizes the National Advocacy Campaign to Successfully Push Cities to Raise Their Voices for a Ceasefire
The NCCM worked with municipal leaders across the country to ensure that calls for a ceasefire were not just heard in Ottawa, but in cities and towns nationwide. From Toronto to Vancouver to Halifax, municipalities passed motions and issued statements, demonstrating that Canadians from coast to coast were demanding action.
December 2023 - NCCM Successfully Lobbies For the Government of Canada to Call for a Ceasefire
Canada voted in favour of a resolution adopted on December 12, 2023 by the United Nations General Assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Canada supported the ceasefire referred to in this resolution as a necessary step to protect civilians, to allow for the entry of important humanitarian relief into Gaza, and to allow foreign nationals, including Canadians, to leave Gaza. NCCM worked tirelessly to engage with the government on this issue, including in a November Advocacy Day, calling for a ceasefire.
December 2023 - Special Measures Program
Canada introduces the Special Measures Program to reunite Palestinians living in Gaza with their Canadian-Palestinian family members. While the program had several issues, NCCM worked tirelessly to help evacuate Canadian Gazans and their families, who were trying to escape the genocide.
January 2024 - Trip with MPs to Palestine Organized by TCMV
NCCM delegates participate in a trip to Palestinian occupied territories with Canadian MPs to get a first-hand view of the Occupation, hear stories directly from Palestinian refugees, and witness the violence that has persisted throughout the West Bank, including in Jerusalem.
January 2024 - Canada Pauses UNRWA Funding
Canada joined the United States and several other countries in cutting funding to UNRWA in late January. This could have led to hundreds of thousands of children being put at risk. This was a major factor that led us to cancelling our meeting with the Prime Minister in 2024, and after our continuous advocacy alongside many partners, funding was restored in March 2024.
March 2024 - The House of Commons in Canada passes weapons export motion
The House of Commons in Canada passes a motion to ban weapons exports to Isreal.
The motion called for:
- A halt to weapons exports permits to Israel
- Sanctions on Israeli settlers
- An acknowledgment of the the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank under international law
- The need to support humanitarian organizations that deliver aid to Gaza like UNRWA
- Supporting the prosecution of all crimes and violations of international law committed in the region
- Supporting the work of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court
While the motion was non-binding, NCCM played an important role, in conjunction with Palestinian human rights organizations, to work with elected officials on its passage. This led to Minister Joly formally announcing an end to all weapons export permits from Canada to Israel, as the first G-7 nation to make such a commitment.
September 2024 - NCCM Pushes to Close Loopholes for Weapons Export Ban, Cancelling the General Dynamics Deal
NCCM became aware of an apparent attempt by weapons manufacturer, General Dynamics, to circumvent the current arms export ban against Israel. The proposed deal will see General Dynamics’ Quebec plant make $60 million of mortars, as part of a $20 billion US weapons package to Israel. We worked hard with government officials to prevent this attempt to circumvent the ban.
Not only did Canada block the attempted sale, but Minister Joly reiterated that there would be no loopholes for future weapons export permits, and tore up all 30 past arms export permits to the Israeli government.
PALESTINIAN LIVES STILL AT RISK
Help us urge all parties to stand up for human rights, and to make sure Canada stands on the side of justice.
ENGAGE WITH NCCM
Make Your Voice Heard
Unjust laws change when voices come together. By sending an email today, you help push for stronger policies to combat Islamophobia and discrimination.
Volunteer
Join the Movement
Make A Donation
Justice requires action. Action requires resources. Your donation supports legal aid, advocacy for policy change, and the fight against Islamophobia at every level. Give today and stand up for the right of Canadian Muslims.