Canada Should Support a Palestinian State and Oppose Occupation

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is asking the UN Security Council to set November 2016 as the deadline for the Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967 and end the illegal occupation that has continued steadily ever since. The latest increase in illegal settlements, Gvaot, shows no sign that Israel plsn to stop the expansion of their illegal occupation. Canada should express full support of the Palestinian's initiative to end the occupation and beget peace for all.



I am proud that Canada supports democracy and Israel's right to defend itself. However, we should also support people's right to live without occupation. The concept that Palestine should negotiate directly with their occupiers, who have increased their occupation consistently over 50 years, defies logic.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_settlement_timeline


PM Harper, on the P.C. party's website cites these settlements as illegal. Furthermore, UN Resolutions 446 and Article 49 of the Geneva Convention all define these acts of occupation as illegal and declare them to be war crimes.


http://www.international.gc.ca/name-anmo/peace_process-processus_paix/canadian_policy-politique_canadienne.aspx?lang=eng


The P.C. party's staunch support of Israel and bias against Palestine has done nothing to promote peace, only prolong and worsen the occupation for Palestinians. Lamentably, the Liberal's stance is equally as biased against the occupied. Canada would very much like to see the values of freedom and justice be promoted by our political representatives. Our political leaders should be encouraged to please support the end of occupation and announce to the world that Canada agrees with the November, 2016 deadline so we can align ourselves with the peace-loving democratic nation that the world once knew Canada to be. Complicity in occupation/war crimes and silence on the murder of children is a dark stain on our nation's legacy of promoting peace and freedom.




For people, like myself, who love Israel and wish peace for the people there, it is obvious that allowing the Israeli government to commit war crimes and to illegally occupy people does a great disservice to the Israeli people. Harper argues that it is anti-semetic to be against the occupation; however, I would argue the opposite. It is anti-semetic to support the occupation that will only beget violence and acrimony. The true lovers of Israel will wish for their leaders to act justly in order to procure peace for its people. Enabling and supporting a bully to steal and kill does no one any favours.


Harper and Baird continue to betray the Canadian people with their banal rhetoric that Palestine must directly negotiate with their occupiers to resolve the matter. They know that this illogical and counter-intuitive plan will not work and has not for fifty years. With each passing year, as this philospophy of negotiation fails, Israel increases in size so the status quo is very much in their benefit.




As Harper, Baird and the Liberals remain complicitly silent on Israeli murders against civilians and watch as the blockaded and occupied Palestine dwindles in size, the world is forced to watch more and more unrest and witness the worst of humanity. 50 years of a growing occupation would tell anyone that Israel has no plans to end the occupation on their own. For those who love Israel, oppose injustice and believe in freedom, let's help Israel beget peace by having them end their occupation.


http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/netanyahu-tells-obama-study-facts-criticizing-settlement-plan

Barack Obama Disappoints World With Broken Promises

Obama campaigned on the promise of change and a new hope. One popular phrase was "change we can believe in". These changes have not materialized and his promises have become broken, empty and disappointing.

In August of 2007, he stated: "As president, I will close Guantanamo, reject the Military Commissions Act, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions. Our Constitution and our Uniform Code of Military Justice provide a framework for dealing with the terrorists."

Palestine was also promised to be on the road to statehood. Obama said in a 2010 speech at the U.N.: "When we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that can lead to a new member of the United Nations, an independent, sovereign state of Palestine living in peace with Israel.” This statement was augmented by the following Obama quote: "the Palestinian people deserve a state of their own.”

In another speech, he further supported a Palestinian state and the end of the illegal occupation:








http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzE_XNMuHOo

However, the US continues to block all Palestine's attempts to seek U.N. recognition as a state. In searching for official recognition, they are peacefully fighting to gain political strength to oppose their occupation. The Geneva Convention violations that Israel enacts against the Palestinian people continue to exist and worsen with each passing year. No action is taken by Obama to end the occupation, stop the violations nor to support a Palestinian state.



The majority of the world governments, 80 % in fact, recognize the Palestinian state. Of the 193 member states of the United Nations, 135 have recognized the State of Palestine as of 30 October 2014. The total population of the 135 countries is over 5.5 billion people, yet, Obama remains opposed to voting in favour for Palestinian statehood despite his earlier statements.

In 2012, Palestine achieved non-member observer status in the U.N. The world emphatically supported the motion: 138-9. The only countries against were: Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Panama, United States. Not only does Obama not support recognizing Palestinian statehood, he was against allowing Palestine observer status in the U.N. This is a definite betrayal of his earlier promises to support Palestine.


Obama not only refuses to support a Palestinian state in the U.N., he acts against their initiatives to gain recognition. Moreover, he prevents the world from trying to bring peace by ending the expansion of the illegal settlements. Obama has vetoed the UN Security Council as they attempted to stop Israel from continuing their illegal settlements. This mocks his promise to adhere to the Geneva Conventions as numerous UN Security council resolutions, including 446, 452, 465, 471 and 476, consider the Israeli settlements as having "no legal validity" under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Despite the fact that UN Resolutions 446 and Article 49 of the Geneva Convention all define Israeli acts of occupation as illegal and declare them to be war crimes, Obama supports them in the U.N.:







www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQz1dVCZwHY


Guantanamo prisoners continue to be kept from having any prisoner rights and they are also are being denied civilian rights as they are kept without any evidence of wrong doing. As a law professor, Obama must be aware of habeas corpus. Why not have a trial to condemn these people justly?


Drone attacks have become the favourite M.O. of Obama. How can a former professor of Constitutional Law condone drone strokes? There is no due process. The attacks kill people that are not clearly identifiable and have never been given an opportunity to know what they have been accused of, offer a defence and appeal. In fact, they are simply targeted and killed without having been convicted on any point of law in any judicial context. Those killed who are guilty of being in the vicinity and have never been identified nor even targeted are victims of war crimes.


Overall, Obama has not made any significant positive changes in dealing with international issues. There have been changes but not ones that people had hoped for. Things have worsened. Palestine is much smaller in size and blockades and settlements have worsened the situation for the people. Israeli attacks on civilians have created more orphans and fewer children are alive to play soccer with their friends. People continue to sit in prison with no hope for due process. Drone strikes are increasing rapidly and becoming a new norm. This is not representative of changes that the world believed in. Considering his predecessor, the reign of this democratic leader, impossibly, has made the world a little more evil.

Bernard Hopkins' Past Hurts His History Making

Bernard Hopkins is fighting a Russian killer on Saturday, November 8, 2014. The almost 50 year old already has amassed an incredible list of accolades to ensure himself as one of the greatest boxers of all time. His legacy is undeniable. In this current culture of boxing that sees the best avoid the best, he should be congratulated and revered. He should be a fan favourite for defying Father Time and for accepting the challenge to meet the avoided Sergey Kovalev (25-0-1) and his 23 knockouts. However, the world does not seem to care nor appreciate the incredible nature of this heroic attempt at glory.






The reasons as to why Hopkins is not as well known/liked as his merits would warrant are plentiful. Hopkins has always done things his own way and intentionally acted in a manner that would act against bringing him mainstream success and as a result, he has no mainstream appeal.






He fought nobodies in order to earn the record for consecutive (he reached 20) middleweight title defenses. An excellent example of this is his title defense against Morrade Hakkar. Who? Good question. He could have avenged his loss to a prime Roy Jones or gone up/down in weight to make a super fight but preferred to go for the defence record. In choosing personal records, he alienated the people. The unknown Hakkar was the worst fight that he could have taken if he wanted to win over the people and become a beloved star. His biggest "in his prime" wins were over smaller fighters like Oscar and Tito who went up in weight to meet him. Hopkins unwillingness to serve the sport and the fans cost him and he is paying the price for it now.





He is a master pugilist, one of the smartest and most techincally brilliant, but fights dirty with cheap tactics. Hopkins frequently hits behind the head and low and uses his head illegally. He also attempts to manipulate the referee by faking injuries and showing dishonourable sportsmanship. This makes him very hard to cheer for.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH053p5IQg0








He fought in a boring, win on points, strategy as opposed to giving the fans the dramatic and exciting exchanges they wanted to see. His recent matches have been more open and engaging and has won him greater fan appeal. Arturo Gatti and Ricardo Mayorga were never the talent that B-Hop is but they soared into stardom for their fighting style. They played the game and gave the public what they wanted, action.






He insulted people by intentionally throwing the Puerto Rican flag on the ground to disrespect legendary pugilist Tito Trinidad in Puerto Rico and in New York. It is natural for this type of behaviour to be disliked and in fact, it would be disturbing if he was incredibly famous and appreciated when he behaves in such an irreverent manner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr1eTEUPp8E






He stated: " I will never let a white boy beat me." as he promoted the Calzaghe bout. This further cemented his position in mainstream society as one to not publically support nor promote. Why would people want to back one making racist remarks?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NowwnTx0cU&noredirect=1







The shame of it all is that Bernard, based on his boxing skills, deserves to be beloved as an amazing talent. His ring skills are impeccable. His defense and angles, sublime. His wins as a 40 year old over Pavlik, Tarver and Pascal are incredible-not even considering his age. The world became enamored with Big George on his late title run. The beauty of the science B-Hop crafts in the ring is far sweeter than what Foreman did.





Hopkins is fighting an undefeated Russian star who has fatally disposed of an opponent. No one wants to face Kovalev with his 90% KO ratio except the 49 year old Hopkins. This narrative is romantic and charming; it is a true life Disney tale being spun before our eyes. Truly, this Saturday's event will transcend sport, it is a testament to the will of mankind and our infinite capabilities. However, it is being ignored as there is a disconnect between Bernard and the public due to his character.








The Executioner severed himself from the public with despicable actions and now there is no rapport between the star and the people which does a disservice to his amazing career achievements. Lamentably, the only problem with Bernard is Bernard. The movie version will be more lovable, no doubt.