Montreal, May 31, 2017 – Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made very public pronouncements about diversity being Canada’s “strength” and the fundamental humanity of all Canadians despite origin or religious background. Yet, Canadian citizens Bissan and her baby Sarah, remain stuck in Gaza under Israeli siege. This is a profound illustration of the double-standard of citizenship that the Canadian government applies.
On May 11th, Bissan Eid gave birth to Sarah- a healthy, beautiful baby girl. Despite the difficult circumstances faced by Bissan and by medical workers in Gaza due to the Israeli military siege, local healthcare workers struggled to support Bissan to the best of their abilities and Sarah was born safely.
Having first requested support from the Canadian government in early 2017, the Eid family issued a public appeal in April 2017. Bissan’s struggle to return home was met with the support of the Concordia Student Union (CSU) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA), along with many workers and faculty at Concordia University. A petition launched last month received over 850 signatures, while a Concordia-specific open letter obtained 165 signatories from the Concordia community. Public statements have been published by the School of Community and Public Affairs, the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, and the Concordia University Part-Time Faculty Association, while Amnesty International Quebec has also called for the Canadian government to take action in support of Bissan.
For Immediate Release — Wednesday, April 26th, 2017
#BringBissanHome
Montréal’s Bissan Eid, a Concordia graduate student remains blocked in the Israeli military besieged Gaza Strip. Now eight-months pregnant, she continues to call on the Canadian government for support.
For over four months, Bissan Eid, a 24 year old Concordia graduate student has been prevented from leaving the Palestinian territory of Gaza. She is in urgent need of support from the Canadian government to secure an exit visa from the Israeli government.
In June 2016, Bissan, a Canadian citizen since 2005, travelled to Gaza to get married and to visit her aging grandparents. When she tried to travel back to Canada, she was prevented from leaving due to the slow processing of her exit visa by the Israeli authorities, who seldom prioritize applications of the Palestinians from Gaza who hold other passports.
#BringBissanHome
For over four months, Bissan Eid, a 24 year old Concordia graduate student has been prevented from leaving the Palestinian territory of Gaza. She is in urgent need of support from the Canadian government to secure an exit visa from the Israeli government.
Launch of Rafeef Ziadah’s latest album, We Teach Life, in Montreal
presented by Tadamon!
Join us for a powerful evening, of poetry and art featuring Rafeef Ziadeh and Phil Monsoor.
We Teach Life is an album rooted in the ongoing struggles of Palestinian liberation against Israeli colonialism, occupation and apartheid.
In the wake of the brutal killing of 18 month of old Ali Dawabsheh, the Canadian Palestinian Foundation of Quebec (CPFQ) is calling a demonstration to condemn settler violence, the occupation and PA complicity.
On July 31st, Israeli settlers from Ma’ale Efraim firebombed the Dawabsheh family home in Douma and spray-painted nationalist and racist graffiti on a neighbouring home. This occurs against the backdrop of ongoing violence against Palestinian communities, including the torching of olive groves, damaging of civilian cars, attacks on Mosques, churches and religious institutions, as well as frequent physical assaults against Palestinian civilians.
Mercredi 11 Mars, 20h30pm
La Passe – 1214 de la Montagne (événement facebook)
20h / 8$ suggérés, selon vos moyens
