Funding Stops to Silence Canada’s Palestine House, says Staff

MISSISSAUGA , ONTARIO, February 20, 2012 (WAFA) – Staff of Palestine House Cultural and Educational Centre in Mississauga, Ontario accused the conservative Canadian government of stopping funding it as part of a campaign to silence groups who speak in support of the Palestinian people, according to a recent press release.

Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney decided recently not to renew a contribution agreement between Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Palestine House forcing the center to shut down, said the press release.

Palestine House, which has been providing CIC-funded settlement and language instruction services to Canadian immigrants of all walks of life for nearly two decades, will no longer provide these services to newcomer Canadians, it said.

While Kenny did not provide any convincing explanation for his decision, said the release, Palestine House, nevertheless, accused the minister and the conservative Canadian government “of targeting Canadian organizations that act or speak in support of the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.”

It said that “in this silencing campaign any group that speaks favorably of Palestinians or their rights is automatically tagged as a supporter of extremism.”

“It was made clear in correspondence to Minister Kenney that Palestine House categorically denounces all forms of terrorism or extremism. Our positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are in line with universal values of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In fact, they are very close to the positions of the Government as stated on its website,” said Samir Jabbour, a spokesperson on behalf of Palestine House.

“Once again, Minister Kenny and the Harper Government prove to Canadians that they are solely led by their ideological biases. Rule of ideology, not the rule of law, is the actual policy that this Government follows,” he said.

Palestine House is the largest organization representing Palestinian Canadians in Canada. It has repeatedly expressed support for the Palestinian people and all oppressed peoples of the world, including Canada’s First Nations, said the press release.

“This decision, which has left about 20 people jobless, is motivated by discrimination. Despite the damage done to newcomer Canadians by this misguided decision, we are unwavering in our position in support of the Palestinian people and their human rights. Mr. Kenney and his decision will never silence us or stop us from serving our community,” added the spokesperson.
Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA