One Canadian-Iranian blogger pardoned in Tehran; another remains in captivity

Hossein Derakhshan, the Iranian-Canadian who pioneered blogging in Iran, and who was sentenced to death for his activities (commuted to 19.5 years and later reduced to 17 years) has been pardoned by Iran's Supreme Leader. Hossein spent six years in Iranian prison.

No pardon has been granted to Saeed Malekpour, software engineer, blogger and a Canadian permanent resident, serving a life sentence for the alleged crime of "desecrating Islam".

Canada will boycott UN conference

Canada is the first country to announce it will not attend  a UN conference on racism, known as "Durban III", scheduled to occur in 2011.

“The original Durban conference and its declaration, as well as the non-governmental activities associated with it, proved to be a dangerous platform for racism, including anti-Semitism,”said Canada's Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. “The General Assembly has now chosen to repeat and even augment the mistakes of the past.”

Pride without prejudice

Dow Marmur writes, "A week ago, I overcame my aversion to marches and demonstrations by walking in Toronto’s Gay Pride Parade. It was my way of responding to the antics of the group that calls itself Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA), which had again been allowed to participate in the parade." ... more.

Celestial and earthly Jerusalem

In an open letter to President Obama, published in American newspapers, (read it here) Elie Wiesel urged the President not to press too soon for a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian differences regarding Jerusalem. A group of prominent Jewish academics and activists residing in Jerusalem responded by publishing this angry letter. Rabbi Dow Marmur comments and adds a Canadian perspective.

From Lake Winnipeg to the Sea of Galilee

Manitoba has joined forces with Israel to explore the best way of managing water resources.

A responsible bystander

As part of his world tour Leonard Cohen wanted to perform for both Jews and Palestinians.

Persistent error

After seven years, an oft-repeated damaging misquote has been corrected.

People, not politicians, make peace

Though the organizations that promote peace between Palestinians and Israelis aren't yet a decisive political force, the fact that they exist at all bodes well for the future. Sooner or later the elected representatives will have to respond.