From: Ismail Zayid [mailto:izayid@eastlink

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From: Ismail Zayid

To: Bernier.M@parl.gc.ca

Cc: Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca ; McDonough.A@parl.gc.ca ; Layton.J@parl.gc.ca ; Dion.S@parl.gc.ca

Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 9:48 PM

Subject: Canada's vote at the UN Human Rights Council.

Canada Palestine Association,

P.O.Box, 1085,

Halifax, NS., B3J 2X1

April 17, 2008

The Honurable Mr. Maxime Bernier, MP.

Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Dear Mr. Bernier.

We understand that, On March 18th, the UN Human Rights Council, of which Canada is a member, voted on a resolution expressing ‘grave concern’ regarding continuing Israeli settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. These settlements contravene international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention and continuing their expansion blocks any possible progress toward an end to this illegal occupation, that has been allowed to stand for over 40 years in defiance of international law and repeated Security Council resolutions. It is reported that the vote at the UN Human Rights Council was 46 – 1, with Canada casting the only vote against the resolution.

This vote by our government clearly contravenes Canada's standing, in the international community, as a country that claims to uphold the UN Charter and international law. It is time that our country's leaders must come to practice what we declare as our committment to human values and international law. Surely, Israel must not be allowed to remain above international law.

Yours sincerely,

Ismail Zayid, MD.

President, Canada Palestine Association.