Thank you for supporting Dr. Qais Ghanem against accusations of anti-Semitism. 
I am sure that you know that nothing could be further from the truth.  He is the
founder of the Arab-Jewish dialogue group, Potlucks for Peace and is very popular
and respected among Arab, Jews and "others" such as myself.

What will become of this country if people can be accused of anti-semitism for
a statement such as "The Israeli point of view is voiced non-stop by the North
American media which is controlled by a small oligarchy."   This is a statement

It is crucial that Canada's government and parliament support the UNIVERSAL application of human rights and international law.  These principles must be upheld for all: our friends, our potential foes and ourselves - without exceptions.  Countries that fail to demand them are themselves complicit.

Thank you for supporting Qais in this issue. I have known him for a few years now as an activist for just causes. He is a staunch supporter of democratic causes. I first met him through his involvement with Fair Vote Canada. He is for justice and I have never heard him utter any discriminatory words against any people. Against some actions by some nations definitely, but that was because of those actions, not because of the color, religion or any other characteristic. Just their government's actions.

I admire your courage in refusing to be cowered into silence by the insidious false charges of anti-Jewish racism.  If only more people were brave enough to speak out as you did.  Then peace and justice would have a better chance.  Thank you again, Sincerely yours, Mira Khazzam, member of Independent Jewish Voices (Montreal)

Dr. Qais Ghanem has been known to me for a couple of years now, and his efforts to promote dialogue and understanding within various ethnicities and faith groups is well established.
I truly hope that the current smear campaign that has begun regarding his feelings on Middle East issues are not used against him in terms of his role in the Green Party in the near future. 

Dr. Ghanem - a highly respected neurologist and community leader - has  given a lot of his time to volunteer work. I got to know him at various  community functions where he was always on a mission to persuade as many  Arabs and Jews as possible to join a group named Potlucks for Peace. Dr. Ghanem has a passion for this group, which he helped establish, and which until this day is the only Arab-Jewish dialogue group in Ottawa. I remember dodging his invitations many times before he finally convinced me that Arabs

I find the accusation that Dr. Ghanem is anti-Semite to be feeble and baseless. On the contrary it was Dr. Ghanem who pioneered the idea of dialogue between Arabs and Jews here in Canada and he was and still is passionate about it. He has endured criticism and even mockery from many, but never gave it up because he believes in it.
 

I am writing you as a Jewish woman. It is incumbent on all of us to speak against injustice; Criticizing the state of Israel is perfectly legitimate and cannot or should not be construed as anti-Semitic. Likewise, criticizing the state of Egypt, or any other country, is not anti-Muslim. As Canadians and citizens of the world we want to ensure that all peoples' human rights are respected.

My strongest congratulations to you for your principled defence of the candidacy of Dr. Qais Ghanem If the Green Party of Canada is ever to have a presence in Parliament it will be because of people like Mr. Ghanem, who not only has a high and distinguished profile in his riding, but is a principled humanitarian.
 

I wish to commend you in your support of Dr. Ghanem being given a voice in the Green Party and your support of open dialogue on an essential issue.  I want you to know that not everyone in the public who hears criticism of Israel is associating this with anti-semitism.

Ziad Anani