From: Ismail Zayid
To: Mr. Jean Chretien M.P.
Cc:
Mr. Lloyd Axworthy M.P.
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 8:01 PM
Subject: Visit to
Jerusalem
Canada
Palestine Association
P.O. Box 1085
Halifax, NS
B3J 2X1
April 10, 2000
The Rt. Honourable Mr. Jean Chretien
The Prime
Minister,
Ottawa
Dear Mr. Chretien:
We are appalled at your actions and statements during your recent visit to Jerusalem. Your words and actions displayed the height of hypocrisy and double standards, violating Canada’s acclaimed support for international law and the U.N. Charter.
You were able to visit, in Jerusalem, Israeli President, the Prime Minister, Supreme Court President and Ehud Olmert, the mayor of Jerusalem. Yet you refused to set foot in Arab East Jerusalem, in deference to Israeli concerns, we are told.
As you know, East Jerusalem is under illegal Israeli military occupation, since 1967, as reaffirmed in repeated U.N. Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and in defiance of international law. Our country, in conformity with virtually all other nations of the world support this U.N. stand and refuse to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
In essence, your actions have done immense damage to our country’s good name and its reputation for fair play and support of international legitimacy. We call for a categorical statement re-affirming the illegal Israeli occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, and for withdrawal from all occupied Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian territory.
Yours sincerely,
cc The Hon. Alexa McDonough, MP, Halifax