In 2005, NCCAR planned for a delegation to the Middle East, comprised of members of Parliament representing the different political parties. The plan was for them to visit Lebanon, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Due to unpredicted circumstances resulting from the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the delegation was postponed to a later date.

The Parliamentary Delegation was to take place in Spring 2006, until the situation on the ground changed when Hamas came to power in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which resulted in all western funding being cut and official diplomatic interactions with the Palestinian Authority severed.

In mid-summer 2006, military conflict broke out between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in over 1,500 deaths, mostly Lebanese civilians. Lebanese infrastructure was severely damaged and one million Lebanese were displaced in the conflict. Immediately following the UN-brokered ceasefire on August 14, NCCAR coordinated a fact-finding mission to the Middle East comprised of members of Parliament representing the different federal political parties. The delegation took place from August 17-24 and visited Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.

NCCAR is planning to coordinate a second mission to the region in the near future.

The objective of this mission was to give federal members of Parliament a broader perspective on the humanitarian consequences of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon launched in July, to learn about the regional implications of this war, and attempt to find a constructive role for Canada.

The delegation team went to Egypt, Lebanon and Syria between August 17 and 24.

NCCAR will post any documentation and reports relating to Parliamentary delegations to the region on this page.

NCCAR has produced a report on the recent MP fact-finding delegation mission to the Middle East that took place in August 2006. This report is available to the public and available for download.

Below are a series of photographs taken during the MP fact-finding mission to the Middle East in August 2006. The photos show the MPs viewing and assessing the infrastructural damages due to the conflict.

Also photos form various meetings that were held between the Canadian delegation and local government officials and non-governmental representatives are shown below.

On-site Visits

Meetings

You can help by making a financial contribution to this program which will go directly to support this and future delegations. We believe that through your direct support Canadian public and policy makers will learn that, like Canadians, Arabs desire peace, prosperity, equality and partnership with Canada. Most importantly the delegation program is an educational endeavour. Canadian leaders will build partnerships and long lasting friendships with the region.

The National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) is facilitating these delegations in partnership with the Arab Canadian community and representative organizations (Canadian Arab Federation, Palestine House, CAPCA-Ottawa, London Palestine Association, Ahlul-Bayt Centre, The Association of Palestinian Arab Canadian-Ottawa, Syrian Canadian Club-Ottawa, and many other individuals and organizations across Canada).

All contributions will receive a tax deductible receipt from NCCAR.

To make a direct contribution: