NCCAR urges parliamentarians to refrain from taking part in "Jerusalem Day" celebrations

OTTAWA, May 15, 2007 – The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) urges the government and all members of Parliament to respect Canada's foreign policy as well as international law, which prohibits the acquisition of territory by war, and refrain from attending the "Jerusalem Day" celebrations.

Canada rightly opposes Israel's unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem, and so does the entire international community. The "reunification" of Jerusalem is an action that would prejudice the outcome of final status negotiations towards peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Canada's official policy is that the status of Jerusalem can be resolved only as part of a general settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute.

"It is encouraging that the United States and the European Union have declined invitations to participate in the Israeli celebrations to mark 40 years of occupation," said NCCAR president Bahija Reghai.

"We hope that our government and our Parliamentarians refrain from taking part in such festivities that are in contradiction with Canada's official position and with international law."

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NCCAR Executive Director: Samah Sabawi, (613) 238-3795 or (613) 878-3965 samah (at)nccar(dot)ca.