As a long-time voting supporter of yours in federal and provincial elections, I am deeply disappointed to see that you are a member of the " Canada Israel Friendship Group". This group, is defined by its Chair, Marlene Jennings, in these terms: "The Canada-Israel "Friendship" Group is a unique forum where all Parliamentarians that support Israel, regardless of their political creed, have an opportunity to come together and work for a common cause."

I do not need to inform you that the state of Israel stands in defiance of repeated UN Security Council resolutions and maintains an illegal brutal occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territory for 38 years. Its practices during this occupation are in violation of virtually every article ot the Fourth Geneva Convention, and thus defined by international law as war crimes. Its racist and apartheid practices, against Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, as well as its own Muslim and Christian citizens, have been confirmed and condemned by all international human rights groups, including UN Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Israeli Human Rights groups, including B'Tselem and the Israeli League for Human and Civil Rights.

It was my belief that you, as well as the NDP party stood for the UN Charter, international law and global human rights, including even those of the Palestinian people.

My confidence, as well as that of many people who stand in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people as affirmed by repeated UN resolutions, is shattered by your membership of this group as well as your lack of response to three letters I have written you this year related to statements you and NDP members made related to the Palestine/Israel conflict; letters also copied to Mr. Layton.