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Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights

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Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) is a non-profit, student-based organization based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is involved in organizing protests against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

History

SPHR was established in 1999 as a result of a merger between two student organizations based at Concordia University and McGill University in Montreal; the Concordia Centre for Palestinian Human Rights (CCPHR) and the McGill Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC).[citation needed] The SPHR gained a wider profile after organizing a protest in Concordia University, that forced the Israeli ex-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a speech that was to take place on 9 September 2002.[1] Rama Al-Malah serves as its spokesperson.[2][3] In 2009, the organization publicly threatened civil disobedience and unrest in response to the Canada Border Services agency barring then British MP George Galloway from entry into Canada.[4]

The groups have sponsored anti-Israel rallies on many campuses, especially since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. McGill University criticized its branch of the SPHR for encouraging celebration of the attack.[5] It responded by saying that its social media posts were "looking at the prospect of liberation" rather than celebrating violence.[6]

In June 2024, the group announced on Instagram that it will be hosting a "revolutionary youth summer program" at McGill University's lower field that includes "physical activity, Arabic language instruction, cultural crafts, political discussions, historical and revolutionary lessons".[7][8] The post, featuring gunmen wearing keffiyeh, drew criticism from Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and B'nai Brith Canada, and was called "extremely alarming" by the university president Deep Saini.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Canadian Press (January 15, 2003). "Concordia U. regrets anti-Netanyahu riot". CTV.ca. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  2. ^ Rowe, Daniel J. (6 June 2024). "Montreal police arrest 15, disperse McGill pro-Palestinian protesters with pepper spray". Montreal. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  3. ^ Lalonde, Michelle (6 June 2024). "Police spray tear gas, break up pro-Palestinian occupation of McGill building". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Organizers seek to overturn ban against British anti-war MP". The Toronto Star. 2009-03-22. ISSN 0319-0781. Archived from the original on 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  5. ^ Morgan Lowrie (2023-10-13). "Canadian universities face challenges navigating Israel-Hamas war". The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. ISSN 1189-9417. Archived from the original on 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  6. ^ Morgan Lowrie (2023-10-13). "Canadian universities face challenges navigating Israel-Hamas war". The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. ISSN 1189-9417. Archived from the original on 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  7. ^ "McGill encampment to host anti-Israel 'revolutionary youth summer program'". National Post. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  8. ^ MacDiarmid, Campbell (14 June 2024). "Pro-Palestinian Canadian students' post for 'teach-in' features masked guerrillas". The Guardian.
  9. ^ Greig, Kelly (14 June 2024). "McGill concerned about 'extremely alarming' poster for summer camp at pro-Palestinian encampment". Montreal. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
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