Free Palestine – OPIRG Peterborough

Statement of Solidarity OPIRG Peterborough for Palestinian Liberation

At OPIRG Peterborough/Nogojiwanong, we maintain anti-oppressive practice and advocate for social and environmental justice issues. Therefore, we believe it is important to speak out against the state of Israel and name what is happening as a genocide against the Palestinian people.

Israeli apartheid has denied Palestinians their fundamental rights of freedom, equality, and self-determination through ethnic cleansing, colonization, racial discrimination, and military occupation. Despite abundant condemnation of Israeli policies by the United Nations, international bodies, and preeminent human rights organizations, the world community has failed to hold Israel accountable and enforce compliance with basic principles of law. And, Israel’s crimes have continued with impunity (Solidarity Booklet, p. 5). Palestinians are being forced into ethnic cleansing, apartheid and ultimately, genocide.

Protest banner reads Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid - FREE PALESTINE

We are calling on the Canadian Government to stop supplying weapons to Israel and recognize human rights abuses. We call for the Government of Israel to end practices that amount to genocide as defined by the United Nations. Until actions are taken, we believe that the Canadian Government should use diplomatic pressure including sanctions, revisiting both the Canadian-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA).

The example so-called Canada is currently setting is that the bombing of civilians is an acceptable expression of support for freedom as per the Canadian Charter. There needs to be public advocacy for the liberation of Palestine. There should be no denying that the actions of Israel are nothing other than acts of an oppressive settler-colonial state supported by the Crown. This genocide bears the same patterns of its predecessors, and allies, apartheid, genocide, ethnic cleansing of past colonization by the Crown.

We commit to the continuation of solidarity to the liberation of Palestine and the lives of Palestinians. The ethnic cleansing tactics in Israel need to stop as does the support by external governments and organizations for the perpetuation of the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. The displacement and dispossession of Palestinian peoples are unjust and far too many lives are continually being lost. We mourn each unnecessary death resulting from the violence committed against Palestine.

Further, we refuse to support the companies and brands that are tied to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Authoritative power is dictating the lives of Palestinians. It is vital that we Al take action and put pressure on these powers to achieve the liberation of Palestine.