Author: cpaadmin

Scotiabank Preys on Genocide

Scotiabank’s global asset fund, 1832 Asset Management, has a deadly history of complicity in Israeli genocide. A year and a half ago, it owned 5% of Israeli arms company Elbit Systems worth almost $500 million US. Then, it gradually divested some of its shares and at the end of September 2024, it was down to just $118 million. This incremental “divestment” followed activist protests that spanned the country and mobilized sectors from artists to workers to community groups. It even resulted in the Giller Prize finally dissociating itself from Scotiabank in Feb. 2025. 

However, true to the nature of financial entities, the last quarter of 2024 brought the news of a shift in their strategy, as they grabbed more Elbit stock which was valued at the time of reporting to be worth $180 million US. However, Elbit share prices have been on an upward trajectory since late January of this year; it seems the ripple effects of Trump’s policies have resulted in European countries buying more of their own military equipment, as well as Morocco shamefully increasing its business with Elbit. 

In February 2025, it was reported that Morocco had signed another major arms deal with Elbit. In fact, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), “Israel has become Morocco’s third-largest arms supplier, accounting for 11% of its military imports.” It was also noted that this “latest contract further strengthens Elbit Systems’ presence in Morocco and confirms Israel’s growing role as a strategic supplier to Rabat.” Back in July 2023, there were already reports that Elbit Systems was expanding its production footprint in Morocco.  

As of today, Scotiabank’s investment in Elbit is worth approximately $240 million US and exceeds the dollar amount that was reported a year ago.  

Although their partial divestments were noteworthy, this simply proves that we can never have faith in multinational corporations to do the ethical thing. War, death and destruction are good for the bottom line! And even though the protests temporarily affected that bottom line, Scotiabank was able to navigate its way out of the public eye and has reverted to its guiding mantra – whats good for the imperialist economy and their alleged “stockholders”! 

Any funding of genocide is too much. We will not rest until Scotiabank divests completely from Israeli war crimes. 

New instagram video: CanadaPalestineAssociation/BDS Vancouver (@cpavancouver) • Instagram photos and videos
Check out sbfundsgenocide.ca and watch for upcoming campaign actions. 

The “two-state” solution is a vehicle for normalization! It’s past time to call out the PA!

After 18 months of live-streamed genocide, after 18 months of useless Western “ceasefire” promises, we must be clear on the principles of genuine liberation. We must re-assess our tactics and be sure that our solidarity work is actually advancing the interests of the Palestinian people and working towards a future free of Zionist settler colonialism and US imperial meddling. 

For some time, we have stated that calling for recognition of THE state of Palestine means nothing more than endorsing Oslo, the corrupt PA and the bankrupt two-state solution. However, Norway has aptly proved our point in its recent move of just such a recognition. Norway officials stated:  

‘Norway will continue to support the Palestinian state-building project. We must strengthen the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammed Mustafa, and we must work for the Palestinian Authority to govern in Gaza following a ceasefire and for there to be one Palestinian government. The goal is to achieve a Palestinian state that is politically cohesive, and that derives from the Palestinian Authority,’ said Mr Eide. 

Norway’s official statement also added, while admitting that the two-state solution had achieved nothing for over 30 years: 
“We also note current efforts by key Arab countries to facilitate a process towards a two-state solution by establishing an Arab vision for regional peace. Two decisive aspects of the plan are the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and the normalisation of relations between Arab countries and Israel, including recognition of the state of Israel. We support these Arab countries in their attempt to create a more peaceful Middle East.” 

So should we conclude that the two-state solution will be flaunted and dragged out until all the major Arab countries have normalized with Israel? At which point, it will most likely be dropped in favour of a more “pragmatic” solution?

Let’s be realistic about our politicians and not waste time on calling for hollow, performative gestures that mean nothing even if they were attainable. Enough of emphasizing the defunct and bankrupt “two-state” solution, and calling for recognition of “the (non-existent) Palestinian state” under the no-authority “Palestinian Authority”. (CPA March 2025)
It is past time to call out the PA!

We refuse to be part of any effort to legitimize the bankrupt and collaborationist Palestine Authority PA. The recent speech by Mahmoud Abbas simply showed that the PA is a stooge for the Israeli-US designs in the region. As the PA cannot or will not confront Israeli oppression in its own areas, it has no legitimacy in lecturing other Palestinian resistance groups that are daring to still struggle. 

This is what Abbas said on April 23, 2025 and it is worth noting that his comments reflect the identical sentiment coming from many of the dictatorial Arab regimes.

Highlighting and promoting the “tw0-state” demand is both dangerous and misleading. This flawed strategy does not benefit the long-term interests of the Palestinian people; rather it simply gives cover to the US-Israeli aggression and facilitates the continued dispossession of the Palestinians along with increased normalization.

Those Complicit in Genocide will be held Accountable! 

#IVotePalestine 2025 

As the federal election goes into final week frenzy, here is the wrap-up report for our campaign demanding to know if politicians stand for justice or for genocide. The paucity of progressive and principled clarity in this election cycle was appalling. We sent our questionnaire to all the major parties for their official response and were not surprised that most refused to answer. We were asking multiple tough questions about Zionism, genocide, the sham “terrorist list” and accountability – issues most politicians in Canada are not willing to touch. The noticeable exception was the Communist Party who did send an encouraging response that we highlighted in our third release. 

We should mention the recent position of the NDP, especially in the debates where their leader Jagmeet Singh emphasized that the word genocide must be used to describe what is happening in Gaza. As Yves Engler pointed out: “...the electoral calculation has finally become clear to him and the party. Better late than never and everyone campaigning against genocide deserve praise.” 

We remain skeptical of the NDP’s intentions, and question if their new-found “passion for Palestine” will continue (although we fervently wish it would). In 2019, the NDP sent positive answers to the first #IVotePalestine campaign, and then two months later, Jagmeet Singh proceeded to backtrack in a roundtable with CIJA. 

We stated in the introduction to our 2025 questionnaire: 

“We do not believe that any single election in Canada will substantially change policy on Palestine, but we do see the educational value in bringing these issues to the public and highlighting the overwhelming Canadian complicity in genocide. Yes, go to candidates in your riding and raise these crucial points, but also stay focused on organizing in our communities, on grassroots activism and on stepping up direct action campaigns going forward.” 

On March 21, 2025, even before the election was called, we noted: “Engaging in electoral politics must not mean advocating for watered-down compromised demands. Make our demands count…for Palestine, for return, for liberation.  
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” 

Full info here: Demand to know where politicians stand – for justice or for genocide! – Canada Palestine Association

All Out for Palestinian Prisoners Day


April 17 is Palestinian Prisoners’ day, a day when the people of Palestine call upon the world to commemorate and uplift their people, apprehended by the Zionist entity and the cowardly, comprador Palestinian Authority; many of these prisoners are leaders in Palestinian society and in the righteous resistance.

#PalestinianPrisonersDay: Ansar and the Israeli Jailer – Canada Palestine Association