Original Invite May 2006

Dear Palestinian Canadian community leaders & distinguished Palestinian Canadian individuals,

Our cause is just: our people are subjugated to ongoing ethnic cleansing; their rights are denied & their lives shattered. Yet despite the justice of our cause, our voice is not heard & respected here in Canada. We need organized action.

We have significant communities across Canada - great skilled, activist & professional people. It is time to unite our efforts - to speak in one voice.

Across Canada our communities offer unique resources. We need to develop an effective way to know each other, to know each community, what it can offer & who are its activists & leaders. We need to strengthen our relationships, to effectively work together in order to have a practical impact on Canadian policies & actions regarding Palestine.

Therefore we propose the formation of a national umbrella organization representing Palestinian Canadian concerns. The objectives of this body will be to support the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination & human security.

This invitation is a spark we ignite to begin an inclusive, democratic & transparent process. We hope it will echo from Halifax to Vancouver.

Please join us. Next step - we will schedule meetings to come together in person to brainstorm the details of our vision & begin organizational development.

This group is intended for the coordination & empowerment of Palestinian Canadians. Once established we will look at including non-Palestinian solidarity organizations.

Sincerely

Asn of Palestinian Arab Canadians Ottawa - Hani Nasser, Samah Sabawi
Niagara Palestinian Asn - Susan Howard-Azzeh
Canada Palestine Asn Halifax - Dr Ismail Zayid
CPA Vancouver - Hanna Kawas
Palestine House - Issam alYamani
Khaled Mouammar

National Preparatory Conferences Jan, May, & Oct 2007
Founding Conference May 31-June 1 2008 Montreal
membership@pnvcanada.org