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Dec. 2015
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ISSUE
No. 41
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Ottawa Office
e-newsletter
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Quotation of the month
"At this Christmas time, we . . . insist that the God in whom we believe and trust is the God of peace and love and not war and hate. We cling to our faith in a loving and compassionate God who calls us away from hatred and violence and into justice and reconciliation." - Naim Ateek, Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Jerusalem
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Peace for Palestine and Israel? 
During the Advent and Christmas season, scripture and song and Sunday school pageant remind us of Bethlehem, place of Jesus' birth. But Bethlehem then and Bethlehem today is nothing like the quiet dreamy place depicted in many carols. It was then -- and remains now -- a place under military occupation, its residents deprived of freedom, security and basic human rights.
In the past months, violence has escalated once again throughout Palestine and Israel, as Palestinian youth lash out and Israeli military forces respond with force. According to the UN, from 1 October to 23 November, 93 Palestinians (including 20 children) and 17 Israelis were killed, while 10,346 Palestinians and at least 160 Israelis were injured. Read about one 13-year-old Palestinian boy who "went to school and never came home."
In the Ottawa Office, we are monitoring how the new federal government will address the Israeli occupation of Palestine. On the one hand, Canada voted against a series of UN resolutions critical of the occupation in November. On the other hand, Foreign Minister Stephane Dion has indicated that Canada will once again assume a position of "honest broker" with Israel. We await further clarity and continue to hope and pray for a just peace for all Palestinians and Israelis.
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Throne Speech
On Friday, December 4, Governor General David Johnston delivered the much-anticipated Speech from the Throne to kick off the 42 nd Parliament. Presented the day after MPs first met in Ottawa to vote in the Speaker of the House of Commons, the speech outlined in broad strokes the plans and priorities of the new majority Liberal government.
Friday's Throne Speech, delivered in the Red Chamber and carried out with the traditional display of pomp and ceremony, contained few surprises. Following so closely on the heels of the federal election, it mainly served as a recitation of campaign and platform promises.
As Parliament begins to hum with activity, the Ottawa Office is monitoring a number of policy portfolios as they relate to MCC's priorities and approaches. MCC Canada has already written letters of congratulations to the prime minister and some members of his cabinet, introducing them to the work of MCC and outlining our areas of interest and program expertise.
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Refugee resettlement
Over the last few months, we've seen evidence of a noticeably positive focus on refugee resettlement. Here in Ottawa, the government has promised to fully re-instate Interim Federal Health Care and help to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees. Across Canada, hundreds of citizens have come forward to help with resettlement through private sponsorship. MCC Canada has received an enormous increase in applications to sponsor not only Syrian refugees, but refugees from all around the world. MCC Canada hopes this positive energy will be channeled into a long-term vision from our government on refugee resettlement. The Private Sponsorship for Refugees program has historically made Canada a leader in refugee resettlement in the world and we are hoping that this tradition will continue for years to come. We also hope that levels of Government Assisted Refugees increase and that numbers of Privately Sponsored Refugees are in addition to (rather than instead of) those the government resettles.
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New resource
A new video series features Benjamin Peters, an Iraq War veteran, telling the story of how he enlisted in the U.S. marines after 9/11 because he believed it was his Christian duty. Peters eventually came to question profoundly how a follower of Jesus could kill the enemy.
Produced by MCC U.S. and intended for a U.S. audience, this series is a great resource for youth and adult groups in Canada as well. Each of six brief videos is accompanied by study questions and action suggestions.
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 Opportunity
Are you a university student and interested in Canada's response to the current refugee crisis? Then consider participating in our annual student seminar, February 18-20 in Ottawa. This year's theme is "Refuge. Asylum. Displacement. Canada's response." Participants will engage with MPs, civil servants and refugee advocates, will observe Question Period and will tour the Parliament buildings. Some travel subsidies are available through provincial MCC offices.
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Staff update
In November Bekah and Esther travelled to Saskatchewan and Alberta, respectively, to share about our advocacy work. Between the two of them, they made 8 presentations to MCC provincial staff, student groups, community groups and several church congregations.
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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