Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 10:51 PM
Subject: Palestinian Refugees’ Right of Return

Canada Palestine Association
P.O.Box 1085
Halifax, NS
B3J 2X1

The Hon. Mr. John Manley
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ottawa.
10 Jan. 2001

Dear Mr. Manley:

We read with interest and concern your offer today to allow Palestinian refugees to settle in Canada.

We have no doubt that our government is fully aware that the Palestinian refugees, who were systematically uprooted from their homes by Israel in 1948 and 1967, have the right to return to their homes, if they so choose, or receive full compensation. This right is enshrined in the UN resolution #194, passed on Dec. 11, 1948 and reaffirmed repeatedly, as well as The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article #13. This right cannot be shelved to reward the party, Israel, that has committed this war crime, or the US, Israel’s unquestioning supporter.

This right for the Palestinian refugees to make this choice freely is fundamental, and we trust that this offer by our government is NOT an effort to do away with this right. Hence, we are calling on you to affirm that this offer is applicable for Palestinians who make this choice freely. Canada claims to uphold international legitimacy and the UN Charter and has a particular role in the just settlement of the Palestinian refugees’ problem.

Yours sincerely

Ismail Zayid, MD.

President, Canada Palestine Association.