FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

WHAT IS ACTIVISM?

Activism is the practice of campaigning to bring about political or social change. It involves activities like protests, demonstrations, boycotts, petitions etc. At its core, activism is about highlighting injustices and publicly advocating for a better future at home and abroad.

WHY ACTIVISM?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right to gather and act in peaceful groups, as well as the right to belong to an association . It also allows individuals to challenge government actions that violate rights or freedoms. Activism is one of the most important tools for individuals to express their dissatisfaction against injustice and bring about a political change. Some people say that participating in Pro-Palestinian activism also works like a therapy. It liberates people from despair, frustration and sadness that comes over watching daily slaughter of Palestinians on social media. It helps channel those feelings into effective actions that will make a difference for Palestinians.

HOW IS CANADA INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING ZIONIST ISRAELI APARTHEID AND COMPLICIT IN THE GENOCIDE?

CANADA IS COMPLICIT THROUGH

CANADIAN CHARITIES: There are 200+ Zionist charities in Canada that directly fund IDF and other criminal entities in Israel. Over the years, charities in Canada have sent about a quarter billion dollars a year to projects in Israel, some which provide support towards the Israeli military, and/or illegal Israeli settlements, which are things that are in contravention of CRA regulations. See link for more information
CANADIAN CORPORATIONS: Major Canadian Corporations like Chapters-Indigo, Scotiabank, Zara etc. fund Israeli military and Israeli weapons manufacturers like Elbit Systems. See link for more information
CANADIAN MILITARY EXPORTS: Canadian military exports to Israel are at an all time high. Canada exported $30 million dollars in military goods and technology to Israel in 2023. Canada also sends weapons indirectly via USA to Israel. See link for more information
CANADIAN POLITICIANS INFLUENCED BY ISRAELI LOBBY: Israeli lobby CIJA along with its subsidiary organizations like B’Nai Brith etc. have been actively lobbying Canadian politicians for decades. See link for more information
CANADIAN ROLE AT UN: Canadian voting record in United Nations on Palestine issue suggests an open bias against Palestine. See link for more information
CANADIAN MEDIA: All major Canadian mainstream media organizations like CBC, Bell Media (CTV, CP24), Global News, National Post, Globe and Mail etc. have been promoting Zionist Israeli propaganda and suppressing pro-Palestinian voices. See link for more information
CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES: Majority of Canadian Universities (like University of Toronto, York University, TMU etc.) have invested student tuition money in companies and / or funds implicated in supporting Israeli apartheid and genocide. See link for more information
CANADA PENSION PLAN: The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) investments include over a quarter-million dollars invested in companies deemed by the UN to be in violation of international law. It also includes companies potentially involved in the Israeli genocide being committed on on the Palestinian people of Gaza through weapons and arms companies. Surveillance companies such as Palantir Technologies, companies involved in house demolitions such as Mitsubishi Corp, companies stealing resources from occupied Palestine such as Chevron Corp and Heidelberg Materials AG, along with many other companies complicit in war crimes are part of the CPPIB portfolio. See link for more information
SALE OF STOLEN PALESTINIAN LAND IN CANADA: Zionist Israeli organizations not only steal Palestinian land/homes and displace Palestinians but also openly sell these stolen lands here in Canada (exclusively to Zionist settlers). These illegal real estate events (led by Keller Williams realty) are scheduled in Canada regularly under police protection. See link for more information

WHAT ABOUT ALL THE ANTI-PALESTINIAN PROPAGANDA IN NEWS MEDIA. IS IT TRUE?

Anti-Palestinian (Hasbara) propaganda has been used by Zionists and other entities for decades to mislead people and justify the oppression of Palestinians. Please visit Pali Answers – A crowdsourced database of short responses to Zionist lies to understand and dispel common myths and lies propagated against Palestinians.

WILL ACTIVISM BRING A POSITIVE CHANGE FOR PALESTINE?

Yes, if we look at the history of South African Apartheid it was dismantled with decades of activism from both inside and outside the country. The same activism is required on a worldwide scale to dismantle Israeli apartheid against Palestinians. Canadian politicians pay attention to public opinion and mass activism is the only way to influence Canadian foreign policy.

WILL I GET ARRESTED FOR PARTICIPATING IN PRO – PALESTINE PROTEST OR OTHER FORMS OF ACTIVISM?

No, peaceful activism is a right available to all Canadians in the Charter of Rights and Freedom. Do not engage with counter protestors or agitators and do not engage with the police verbally or physically while participating in a protest and there will be no issues. See link on suggested best practices when participating in Palestine activism

DOES ISLAM SUPPORT ACTIVISM?

Yes, the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) says “Whoever among you sees an evil / injustice, let him change it with his hand [by an action]; If he cannot do so, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; If he cannot do so, then at least with his heart [feeling bad about it], which is the weakest level of faith.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 49
Speaking out against injustice is our religious duty in Islam.
Prophet (PBUH) said “The best struggle (jihad) in the path of Allah is (to speak) a word of justice to an oppressive ruler.”

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN PRO-PALESTINE ACTIVISM?

Please follow the Palestine Activism groups and organizations on social media. Periodic Actions are posted on these social media pages for public participation.

Activism actions in GTA are also posted regularly on this page