In the News May 14

74th Anniversary of Al-Nakba — The Catastrophe

Smash the Silence! Oppose Israel’s Settlements and Crimes! Oppose Canada’s Definition of Human Rights and Unacceptable “Rules-Based” International Order

Manchester, England, Nakba ’74

May 15 is the anniversary of Al-Nakba, the Catastrophe, a blight on the record of international relations to this day. The U.S., Canada, the UK and big powers of Europe condone the illegal settlements or issue feeble protestations. Now, in the face of the most egregious crimes, they remain silent as Israel carries out massive expulsions from Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, taking over more and more Palestinian land. To see this is to witness crimes which are a clear indictment of the foreign policy and human rights record of these powers, including Canada. To remain silent while Israel’s wrongly named High Court of Justice declares these crimes can proceed is also beyond the pale.

The Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) condemns the silence of the Canadian government on the mass expulsions from Masafer Yatta in the West Bank. CPC(M-L) condemns too other crimes being committed by Israel as it escalates its plan to dispossess the Palestinian people entirely and eliminate them as a people who affirm their right to be and who rightfully demand the recognition of their right of return.

It is Canada’s duty to do everything in its power to make sure the settlements are condemned as illegal, no matter what Israel’s High Court declares. It is Canada’s duty to condemn the violent expulsions, the killing of Palestinian-American Shireen Abu Akleh — a journalist working for Al-Jazeera — and Israeli authorities’ violent assault on her funeral, as well as their killings and imprisonment of Palestinian men, women and children.

CPC(M-L) calls on the Canadian and Quebec people to oppose attempts by Canada to isolate those who support the Palestinian resistance by adopting unacceptable definitions of hate, on-line hate and anti-Semitism which confound opposition to Zionist crimes and criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism.

CPC(M-L) calls on Canadians and Quebeckers to oppose the enactment of laws behind the backs of the people which are based on unacceptable, self-serving political and ideological positions. It is high time members of all political parties speak out against such things.

As individuals they themselves are defamed and isolated and their reputations ruined when they speak out in defence of the Palestinians. As individuals their own rights are trampled because they are given no say in these matters. The official status quo which permits the crimes committed by the state of Israel to be condoned and makes everyone submit to such things must be smashed.

Israel has long since violated every responsibility the international rule of law assigns to countries which are occupying powers. Since its founding it has violated all the principles which were set as conditions for its existence as a state. Canada’s support for these crimes is based on an egregious self-serving interpretation of the principles and conditions set. It is the greatest indictment of an ill-gotten human rights record which lies in tatters.

When it comes to Canada’s support for the crimes committed by Israel, the essence of the kind of human rights Canada supports is revealed. The Canadian government goes so far as to declare that accusations of double standards, such as comparing the government’s support for the U.S./NATO expansion and policy towards Ukraine and its lack of support for the Palestinians fighting an illegal occupation, is anti-Semitic.

In fact it shows that both are equally ill-gotten and have nothing to do with supporting rights by virtue of being human. The Palestinian Right of Return is a human right. The Palestinian Right to Resist an illegal occupier is a human right. The Palestinian Right to Justice is a human right.

All Out to Uphold the Palestinian Right to Be and the Right of Return!
Condemn Israel’s Crimes!
Smash the Silence!

TML Daily, posted May 14, 2022.