Statement on Syria

No to US-led intervention in Syria
April 21, 2013 – Canada Palestine… Read more

No to US-led intervention in Syria
April 21, 2013 – Canada Palestine Association-Vancouver is alarmed by the escalating violence in Syria and the huge toll on the Syrian civilian population and we feel compelled to speak out. The increasing threat of foreign military intervention will only exacerbate this suffering and could well begin a wider war. We believe that the Syrian people are the only party to decide who should lead them, and outside intervention should be condemned.
The objective of Western governments has always been to control Arab natural resources, especially the oil, and to impose Arab dictatorships that serve their interests. The West has never cared for the well being or dignity of the Arab people; we need only to look at their history for the past sixty-five years, including their role in the dismemberment of Palestine and its people. Recently, there are clear signs that the US government and its allies, including Canada and various Arab puppet regimes, are increasing their intervention in Syria – from the rapprochement between Turkey and Israel under the auspices of US president Obama, the sharp increase of military aid from Arab governments and Turkey (with the help of the C.I.A.) to the Syrian opposition (including more than 160 military cargo flights by Jordanian, Saudi and Qatari military-style cargo planes, as reported by the NY Times Mar.25/13), to the unwarranted Arab League recognition of the Syrian opposition and the statement by Adm. James Stavridis, NATO’s top military commander, “We are looking at a wide range of operations and we are prepared if called upon to be engaged as we were in Libya.”
We call for a peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiations and the implementation of long-overdue reforms in Syria. There are many sincere elements that care about the future of Syria and are pushing for urgently-needed change, but any alliance with Israeli and U.S. hegemonic designs is and will be disastrous for the Syrian and Arab peoples. The UNITY of Syria is at stake, the future of the region is at stake. History will judge all those who collaborated with Israel and the U.S. empire (and this includes the Palestinian Authority).
Accordingly, Canada Palestine Association-Vancouver strongly denounces any Western and US-led intervention in Syria, and we call on our supporters to oppose any such intervention, especially from the Canadian Government. We will not allow John Baird and Stephen Harper to practice their hypocritical policies – supporting Israeli annexation over all of Jerusalem while pretending to care about the suffering of any of the Arab peoples.

Music of Resistance: Palestinian Singer Reem Kelani

Reem Kelani in Vancouver
Friday, April 19, 7:00pm, Rhizome Cafe, 317 East… Read more

Reem Kelani in Vancouver
Friday, April 19, 7:00pm, Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway

Marking Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, commemorate Palestinian cultural resistance with art and music, featuring the songs of Palestinian singer and musician Reem Kelani.

Presented by the Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign, organizing in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation and self-determination, and to support the Palestinian call for international boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) of Israel. Endorsed by the Canada Palestine Association, Conference of the Palestinian Shatat in North America, Independent Jewish Voices – Vancouver

$10 suggested donation, but no one turned away for lack of funds

New Play “Facts” and Panel Discussion

(Check for detailed events in Vancouver for Arthur Milner)
Co‐produced… Read more

(Check for detailed events in Vancouver for Arthur Milner)
Co‐produced by Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Theatre and Neworld Theatre
7PM April 27, 2013 at PL Progress Lab (1422 William Street, Vancouver)
TICKETS: $10 (Note: Advanced Sales Only)
IN BRIEF: A public engagement event involving artistic and political discussions on the ongoing issues and questions pertaining to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The central focus of this event will be a reading of Facts, a new political drama by Montreal Jewish playwright Arthur Milner. The play will be read by Marcus Youssef, Sean Devine and Parick Sabongui, directed by Marisa Smith. The event will also feature a performance from musician Geoff Berner and panelists from Seriously Free Speech, Independent Jewish Voices, the Canada Palestine Association, and the playwright Arthur Milner.

ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT AND INSPIRATION
Performance by Musician/Activist, Geoff Berner – www.geoffberner.com
Clips local and international award‐winning documentary films, Info Booths hosted by Seriously Free Speech Vancouver, Independent Jewish Voices and Canada Palestine Association | Cash bar & catering by Tamam Fine Palestinian Cuisine

PANELISTS
Sheila Delany from Seriously Free Speech,
Rabbi David Mivasair from Independent Jewish Voices,
Hanna Kawas from Canada Palestine Association, and playwright
Arthur Milner.
A RELATED EVENT
PTC presents a Playwrights Guild Reading from Arthur Milner, April 28, also at PL 1422.
For info on this event contact Heidi Taylor at heidi@playwrightstheatre.com
MEDIA RELEASE

Simon Shaheen in “The Call: Songs of Liberation”

Sat., April 27, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Chan Shun Concert Hall, Chan Centre for the… Read more

Sat., April 27, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Chan Shun Concert Hall, Chan Centre for the Preforming Arts

Palestinian composer and musician Simon Shaheen has done more for bringing Arab music to the West than anyone else in recent memory. Known for his melodic ingenuity and his dazzling technique on both the violin and the oud, the central instrument in Arab music, Shaheen’s style is based in traditional Arabic sounds and includes elements of jazz, world and classical.

The Call: Songs of Liberation, features a new composition by Shaheen as well as ‘50s and ‘60s anthems by some of the most popular composers of the Arab world. These songs have found new resonance in the recent freedom movements in the Middle East and North Africa. Featuring singers, Naji Youssef and Mayssa Karaa, and guest dancer Cassandra Shore.

This concert is presented in partnership with the Museum of Anthropology’s Safar/Voyage: Contemporary Works by Arab, Iranian, and Turkish Artists, guest curated by Fereshteh Daftari. Safar/Voyage is Canada’s first major group exhibition of artists from the Middle Eastern region. It will run from April 20 to September 15, 2013.

“ROADMAP TO APARTHEID” in PORT COQUITLAM, BC

PORT COQUITLAM’S ONLY SOCIAL JU$TICE FILM FESTIVAL

Among the films to be… Read more

PORT COQUITLAM’S ONLY SOCIAL JU$TICE FILM FESTIVAL

Among the films to be shown at the Festival is:
“ROADMAP TO APARTHEID” – A comparison is made between Apartheid South Africa and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It is a
dire picture of the present, but offers hope in the peace that South Africa eventually found.
Speaker: Hanna Kawas, a Palestinian Christian.
When: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013.
Where: TRINITY UNITED CHURCH
2211 Prairie Ave. (at Shaughnessy)
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada

ADMISSION BY DONATION

Other films and schedule:
“The Voices of Transition” — food, chemicals Fri., Apr. 12, 7:15 p.m.
“Bully” — action plan for teachers, parents and community Sat., Apr. 13, 10:00 a.m.
“Consciousness” — the future for Riverview Sat., Apr. 13, 11:30 a.m.
LUNCH — $6.00 Sat., Apr. 13, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
“Haiti — Where did the Money Go?” Sat., Apr. 13, 1:30 p.m.

More Info: Lavina Shaw: lavinashaw@shaw.ca