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The opinions expressed by writers on this blog do not necessarily reflect the policies or the positions of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, its staff, and its board of directors.

Netanyahu responds to Palestinian letter
(Reuters) – Israel and the Palestinian Authority issued a rare joint statement on Saturday, saying they were committed to peace after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched an envoy to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The envoy carried a letter from Netanyahu replying to one he received last month from Abbas, in which the Palestinian leader [...]
Statement on the Cancellation of Dieudonné’s Performances in Montreal
The Corona Theatre announced today that it cancelled Dieudonné M’bala M’bala’s scheduled performances in Montreal. In response to this development, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ Vice-President (Québec) Luciano G. Del Negro released the following statement: « We are satisfied that with this development, Dieudonné and like-minded individuals will receive the message that in Quebec, [...]
“Mission Accomplished”
A group of 30 members of the Norway House Cree Nation completed their leadership mission to Israel this week, in an event organized by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. The group included Chief Ron Evans, who said he was inspired by his first visit to Israel two years ago. “I saw the similarity between our [...]
Dieudonné’s performances scheduled for May 14, 15, 16, 17 at the Corona Theatre are cancelled.
Due to contractual conflicts, the Corona Theatre has decided to cancel Dieudonné’s performances scheduled for May 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the Corona Theatre. Ticket holders can obtain a refund at the initial point of purchase. The Corona Theatre appologizes for any inconvenience this situation may have caused. - 30 - —— Annulation des représentations [...]
Israeli president addresses packed house in Montreal
MONTREAL – The Israeli president addressed a packed house at the Shaar Hashomayim synagogue in Montreal. Security was tight as nearly 2000 visitors showed up to hear Shimon Peres speak. Peres said he couldn’t imagine the free world being okay with the idea of Iran getting the nuclear bomb. In his latest stop on a [...]
Toronto Islamic school’s anti-Jewish books came from Iran
TORONTO — A Toronto Islamic school’s teaching materials, which have prompted a police hate crimes investigation because of their portrayal of Jews, were originally published by Iranian organizations, records show. The passages of the East End Madrassah’s texts that drew the most widespread condemnation are excerpts from two books, including one published by the Al [...]
The Centre Comments on Toronto Madrassah’s Antisemitic Materials
John Robson on the Arena speaks with Steve McDonald, Associate Director of Communications of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, about the East End Madrassah’s Level 8 curriculum which contained antisemitic elements.
Israeli President Shimon Peres appeals for calm with Iran
Toronto — Calling an Iranian nuclear bomb “a real danger to humanity,” Israel’s President on Wednesday night nevertheless reiterated his appeal for calm in dealing with the Iranian regime. “It is better to start with non-military efforts than to go straight to war,” Shimon Peres told journalist David Frum during a live interview in Toronto. [...]
‘Anti-Semitic’ comic ostracized in Europe, booked in Montreal
MONTREAL — In Europe, the humour of Dieudonné M’bala M’bala has come to be seen as so toxic that public venues regularly shun him. On Tuesday, pressure from local authorities forced the French comic to scrap a show in Brussels. A performance in March is under investigation by Belgian police as possible anti-Semitic hate speech. [...]
Out of self-interest, genuine opportunity
Never mind the cynics, the Netanyahu-Mofaz partnership could produce change… if its protagonists follow through on their fine rhetoric The cynicism that greeted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition agreement with Kadima’s Shaul Mofaz Tuesday is easily understood. Mofaz has made a gold-medal-worthy sprint from bitter foe to warm ally of the prime minister. One minute [...]