Representative of Canada to Palestinian Authority visits Birzeit University, delivers lecture on Canadian foreign policy

On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, the Representative of Canada to the Palestinian Authority, David Da Silva, visited Birzeit University and met with Dr. Beshara Doumani, Birzeit University president; Abdullatif Husseini, vice president for Community Affairs; and Dr. Amir Khalil, director of the External Academic Relations Office.

The parties discussed enhancing collaboration between Birzeit University and Canadian universities, particularly in research and academic and student exchange.

Dr. Doumani presented an overview of the university’s history and current projects. He also stressed the university’s interest in digitalization, developing a green campus and strengthening collaboration with universities worldwide.

Dr. Husseini elaborated on the role of the Community Affairs Office in critically assessing the needs of Palestinians to provide community-based and capacity building programs.

Dr. Khalil outlined the collaboration program between Birzeit University and Canadian higher education institutions, stressing the interest of the External Academic Relations Office in expanding international partnerships.

Later, Da Silva delivered a public lecture titled “Canadian Foreign Policies Toward the Middle East: The Arab-Israeli conflict.” Organized by the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies in collaboration with the Department of Political Science, the lecture was directed by Dr. Ibrahim Rabaia, part-time lecturer at the department.

Da Silva addressed the priorities of Canadian foreign policy, including promoting the role of women in societies and supporting an international order based on international law and organizations. These priorities seek to enhance women’s multifaceted engagement and promote conflict resolution through peace, diplomacy and negotiation.

Concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Da Silva maintained that Canada has supported peace processes and initiatives in the Middle East as well as Palestinian-Israeli negotiations for the past 20 years. He added that Canada and Palestinians have a long-standing relationship strengthened by the presence of Palestinian and Arab communities in Canada.

He asserted that Canada is committed to supporting Palestinians through providing financial aid to the Palestinian Authority and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA.) Da Silva also discussed Canadian agricultural and vocational training programs as well as development projects in the West Bank and Gaza.

At the end, Dr. Rabaia thanked Da Silva for his insightful lecture, which was further enriched by the extensive discussion and inquiries raised by students regarding Canada's foreign policy toward the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.