From: Ismail Zayid
To: manlej@parl.gc.ca
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 11:26 PM
Subject: Canada's Deafening Silence.

Canada Palestine Association
P.O.Box 1085
Halifax, NS, B3J 2X1
 
The Hon. Mr. John Manley
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ottawa
 
July 11, 2001
 
Dear Mr. Manley:
 
It is difficult to believe how Israel's continuing brutal demolition of Palestinian homes in refugee camps in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem, remains unnoticed by our government. This deafening silence is in clear contrast to our continuing claims that we are a nation which upholds international law and cares for human rights internationally. Israel's continuing extra-judicial murder 'assasination' of Palestinians, demolition of their homes and the whole cascade of violation of the human rights of Palestinians, under illegal occupation, are in clear violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which both Israel and Canada are signatories. Need I remind you that the refugees, whose homes are again being demolished are those who have already been uprooted from their homes 53 years ago and remain to this day as refugees awaiting the international conscience, if it exists, to apply pressure on Israel to allow them the right to return to their homes, in compliance with repeated UN resolutions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 
How long must Israel be allowed to remain above international law and our government, amongst others, remain completely silent?
 
Yours sincerely
 
Ismail Zayid, MD.
President, Canada Palestine Association.