Mohammad Jaberi Photo: screenshot Facebook video Palestine House – Toronto
Mohammad (Moe) Jaberi (محمد الجعبري), whose family is from Gaza, is the founder and President of @toronto4palestine, formerly GPM (GTA Palestinian Movement @GPM.21), a coalition of Canadian Palestinian organizations.
On December 3, 2023, Mohammad Jaberi attended the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People organized and held at the Palestine House – Toronto.
Salaam alaykum, Hello, Marhaba, Shahlom, Ola, Nanabozho and any language that we could speak to unite us for Palestine for humanity. It’s an honour to be among distinguished community leaders and advocates committed to justice, solidarity and the pursuit of freedom for the Palestinian problem.
Since before the escalation of violence on October 7, [2023 – the attack launched by the Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas and the Islamic Jihad on Israel], Toronto for Palestine [T4P] has been at the forefront of promoting mutual understanding and unity throughout the greater Toronto area and across Canada. We value diversity as a source of strength and T4P takes pride in fostering connections with various communities, building bridges of solidarity since its establishment.
Originally founded by individuals from diverse backgrounds, brought together by a shared vision of liberated Palestine, achieved through organised mass mobilization, our movement evolved from what was initially called GPM [GTA Palestinian Movement @GPM.21], to Toronto for Palestine to ensure unity from coast to coast.
That transition inspired united digital advocacy campaigns and the creation of community-based groups such as Engineers for Palestine, Lawyers for Palestine, following T4P, contributing to the growth of our membership across the country.
The impact of our movement extends beyond Toronto, with branches like Hamilton for Palestine, Montreal for Palestine, Windsor for Palestine, and approximately 10 more cities furthering our collective efforts for justice and liberation.
One of the digital campaigns, closest to my heart, was Free Them All, which advocated for the release of administrative detainees [operatives of groups designated by Israel as terrorist entities] on the hunger strike. This campaign exemplifies our diverse tactics to shed light on different aspects of Palestinian struggles, including the release of our prisoners [operatives of groups designated by Israel as terrorist entities].
In addition, T4P first introduced banner draws, a quiet yet impactful method, now widely adopted across the world. The initiative aims to advocate passerbys about Palestine without the need for vocal advocacy.
We began with a smaller group, has now become a widespread movement. We believe that collective strength is built on mutual support, and that its why T4P is beyond, is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters across communities and share our resources to empower each other.
Establishing solidarity with indigenous people, the Black community, the Tamil community, and the Kashmiri communities, as well as people of all faiths, Christians, Muslims, Jews, humanitarians, and allies.
We are also dedicated to empowering you through mentoring and education, encouraging them to assume leadership roles in our collective pursuits for liberation.
Recognizing the significance of the younger generation, our focus is on sterling leadership skills,
fostering critical thinking, and nurturing a sense of responsibility in our future leaders.
A key strategy involves building connections with university charter groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine [SJP]. We aim to empower young people through mentorships and workshops to equip them with the knowledge and skills to actively contribute to the struggle of Palestinian liberation, to the struggle of the Palestine declaration, becoming informed and socially responsible leaders.
Being a community-led movement, we greatly appreciate the knowledge, skills, and talents generously contributed by each member.
Creating a collaborative team environment that promotes mutual learning, where members are provided, are provided the space and resources to discover their strengths and know how they can best contribute to our work.
In the past year, Toronto for Palestine has witnessed significant growth and impact. We have fostered relations with numerous communities beyond geographical boundaries.
Over the last nine weeks alone, Toronto for Palestine has organized and facilitated over 30 actions across the community, ranging from protests, student walkouts to educational panels.
T4P has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the community, such as when the city of Brantford [see below] attempted to pass a motion in support of Israel on October 8 [2023]. T4P quickly organized a rally mobilizing individuals to City Hall to express their concerns and reject the motion. Through email campaign Through [an] email campaign, we urged city councilors to reconsider, resulting in the rejection of the motion with 10 votes against one vote, one in favour.
Amidst rising hate crimes, targeting Palestinians, we must continue our collective efforts of legitimizing anti-Palestinian racism as a form of discrimination. By acknowledging and actively combatting such racism, we successfully reject discriminatory narratives that aim to dehumanize Palestinian lives and suffering. This is particularly crucial in countering the prevailing Zionist narrative of labelling us as antisemitic.
Establishing the legitimacy of our fight against Palestinian racism re-enforces that collective understanding that true equality, justice, and human rights must include Palestinians too. It’s through this united front that we can challenge and dismantle discriminatory narratives, ensuring the dignity and rights of the Palestinian people are upheld and respected.
I extend gratitude to each of you for your support, dedication, and commitment to justice and the liberation of Palestine. Thank you and let us continue to amplify our voices, build solidarity, and work towards a future where the Palestinian people can live free from oppression and injustice.
There will not be possible in isolation from each other. It requires collective efforts, constructive communication, trust, and collaboration. For more information, please visit our Linktree on Instagram at Toronto for Palestine.
Brantford’s City Council Resolution in Support of the State of Israel (October 10, 2023)
Moved by Councillor McCreary Seconded by Mayor Davis
THAT Sections 15.11.5 and 15.11.6 of Chapter 15 of the City of Brantford Municipal Code BE WAIVED in order to introduce the following Resolution without prior Notice of Motion, and to deem the item urgent in order to be considered outside the budget process:
WHEREAS the nation of Israel has been the subject of cowardly terrorist actions on a scale unseen since 9/11/2001; and
WHEREAS thousands of Israelis and citizens of other countries including Canada have been victimized by this cowardly terrorist assault; and
WHEREAS 900 victims are confirmed dead including Montrealer Alexandre Look, 2,000 victims are wounded and more than 100 are believed to have been abducted into Gaza;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
A. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford offers its condolences to the victims of this cowardly terrorist action on both sides of that border; and
B. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford condemns the actions of these cowardly terrorists and their state and non state sponsors; and
C. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford condemns the actions of Canadian residents who publicly celebrated the cowardly terrorist attacks on the state of Israel; and
D. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford requests that the Government of Canada should consider financial aid to the
12
nation of Israel to replenish depleted stocks of defensive anti missile systems; and
E. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford urges the return of Israelis held hostage in Gaza; and
F. THAT as a display of solidarity with the nation of Israel Brantford City Hall will be illuminated with the colours of the Israeli flag until the cessation of hostilities.
Moved by Councillor McCreary Seconded by Mayor Davis
WHEREAS the nation of Israel has been the subject of cowardly terrorist actions on a scale unseen since 9/11/2001; and
WHEREAS thousands of Israelis and citizens of other countries including Canada have been victimized by this cowardly terrorist assault; and
WHEREAS 900 victims are confirmed dead including Montrealer Alexandre Look, 2,000 victims are wounded and more than 100 are believed to have been abducted into Gaza;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
A. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford offers its condolences to the victims of this cowardly terrorist action on both sides of that border; and
B. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford condemns the actions of these cowardly terrorists and their state and non state sponsors; and
C. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford condemns the actions of Canadian residents who publicly celebrated the cowardly terrorist attacks on the state of Israel; and
13
D. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford requests that the Government of Canada should consider financial aid to the nation of Israel to replenish depleted stocks of defensive anti missile systems; and
E. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford urges the return of all individuals held hostage in Gaza; and
F. THAT as a display of solidarity with the nation of Israel Brantford City Hall will be illuminated with the colours of the Israeli flag until the cessation of hostilities, if the lighting is not available then staff BE DIRECTED to fly the Israeli flag at half mast.
Clauses on item 9.3 were voted on separately and carried accordingly.
A. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford offers its condolences to the victims of this cowardly terrorist action on both sides of that border; and
C. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford condemns the actions of Canadian residents who publicly celebrated the cowardly terrorist attacks on the state of Israel; and
D. THAT the Corporation of the City of Brantford requests that the Government of Canada should consider financial aid to the nation of Israel to replenish depleted stocks of defensive anti-missile systems; and
F. THAT as a display of solidarity with the nation of Israel Brantford City Hall will be illuminated with the colours of the Israeli flag until the cessation of hostilities, if the lighting is not available then staff BE DIRECTED to fly the Israeli flag at half mast.
