CPTnet
May 22,1998
WATERLOO,ON: CPT GREETS ISRAELI AMBASSADOR
by Matthew Dick and Natasha Krahn

WATERLOO, ON -- On May 20 local members of Christian Peacemaker Teams
Ontario (CPTO) and friends gathered outside the Canadian Clay and Glass
Gallery where the Israeli ambassador to Canada, David Sultan, was giving a
keynote address. CPTO held a silent vigil which drew attention to Israel's
policy of demolishing Palestinian homes in the West Bank. They marched
with signs and banners and handed out leaflets to passersby.

The gallery hosted Sultan and more than two hundred guests,
mainly from the local Jewish community, to celebrate the state of Israel's
fiftieth anniversary. Some who attended the celebration took leaflets. One
attendee refused saying, "I had lunch with a Palestinian and the ambassador
and I know why you're here". Another attendee responded to the vigil with
anger saying, "You don't know what you're talking about".

During the hour and a half vigil, CPTO members attempted to meet
with the ambassador but were denied a meeting. However, RCMP officers
agreed to deliver an envelope which contained letters from children at
Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church in Kitchener, names of families whose
homes have been demolished, information about the Campaign for Secure
Dwellings, and CPT's Pledge to Our Jewish Neighbours.

CPT members who participated in the event were Nina Bailey, Benno
Barg, Chris Buhler, Matthew Dick, Natasha Krahn, Scott Morton and Elinor
Snell, all from the Kitchener-Waterloo area.