October 27, 2008
Independent Jewish Voices Montréal is one of several groups that represent Jewish organizations and individuals in 26 cities across Canada. We come from diverse backgrounds, occupations, and affiliations and have in common a strong commitment to social justice and universal human rights. We come together in the belief that the broad spectrum of opinion among the Jewish population of this country is not reflected by those institutions which claim authority to represent the Jewish community as a whole. We further believe that individuals and groups within all communities should feel free to express their views on any issue of public concern without censorship, reprisals, or incurring accusations of disloyalty.
In line with our guiding principles, we are obliged to speak out whenever the policies of an occupying power are put above the human rights of an occupied people. The refusal of the Israeli government to allow over 100 physicians, academics, and health professionals from Canada, the US, and Europe to enter Gaza for today’s international conference on mental health falls within this category.
IJVM joins other peace-seeking and social justice organizations in protesting the last-minute decision by Israeli authorities to bar the attendance of individuals who planned to attend the Gaza Community Mental Health Program’s fifth International Conference, being held in cooperation with the World Health Organization on “Siege and Mental Health, Walls vs Bridges.” This is an unacceptable attempt to prohibit medical and scientific exchanges between professionals in Gaza and the international medical community on critical mental health issues as well as a further violation of the right to travel.
Dr. Abby Lippman
Mira Khazam
Independent Jewish Voices Montreal
email: IJVM_VIJM@yahoo.ca
