Confusion over refugees in Canada

Not so fast! the media appear to have jumped the gun on Jewish refugees: reports that the government of Canada has accepted all the recommendations in the foreign affairs committee report on Jewish refugees are premature. While officially recognising Middle East Jewish refugees, a reading of the Hansard transcripts shows that the government have not yet agreed that Jewish refugees should be part of the peace process. The debate has been adjourned. (With thanks: Michelle)

B’nai Brith Canada has issued the following press release:

"As it stands, media reports that committee recommendations recognizing Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa have been accepted by the Government of Canada are premature. As confirmed by a review of the Hansard transcripts and conversations with Parliamentary officials, it is clear that while discussion on the report began yesterday, the debate was adjourned without any conclusive results.

"The two recommendations in the report are: First, that the Government of Canada officially recognize the experience of Jewish refugees who were displaced from states in the Middle East and North Africa after 1948. Second, that the Government of Canada encourage the direct negotiating parties to take into account all refugee populations as part of any just and comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflicts. In its writtenresponse, the Government of Canada sets out that it agrees with the first, but not the second recommendation.

“While recognizing the plight of Jews expelled from Arab lands following the creation of the Jewish State of Israel in 1948 is a positive first step, a just resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict must include all historical facts,” said Frank Dimant, CEO, B’nai Brith Canada. “Current Government position seems to be in line with the original NDP position supporting only the first of the two recommendations. We strongly disagree with the initial rejection of the second recommendation and encourage the Government to move quickly to accept both of the committee’s recommendations. "

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