From: Ismail Zayid [mailto:izayid@eastlink.ca]
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 5:50 PM
To: 'GOODYG@PARL.GC.CA'
Subject: Academic freedom.

Canada Palestine Association.

P.O.Box, 1085,

Halifax, NS. B3J 2X1

June 11, 2009.

The Hon. Mr. Gary Goodyear,

Minister of State for Science and Technology,

Dear Mr. Goodyear:

We are writing to express our serious concern at the role you are playing in attempting to violate the principles of academic freedom, by calling for a second peer review of the conference funding application, for the planned and scheduled conference on : " Israel/Palestine: Mapping Models of Statehood and Paths to Peace", at York University.

Distinguished academic Israelis, Palestinians and Canadians are offering their views at this conference. The views presented by B'nai B'rith and others against this conference are baseless and are in continuity with their standard views that any criticism of the oppressive and brutal policies of the state of Israel against the Palestinian people, under illegal occupation, is equated with anti-Semitism.  These views expressed by B'nai B'rith are condemned by many Israeli intellectuals and Israeli human rights groups like B'Tselem and others, includimg many distinguished Jewish Canadian academicians .

It is time that our government officials and political leaders pay heed to our Canadian claims to upholding international law and universal human rights.

Yours sincerely,

Ismail Zayid, MD.

President, Canada Palestine Association.