Independent Jewish Canadians Unite to Create Alternative to the Canadian Jewish Congress
http://www.shalomtorontonews.com/heb.pdf http://www.shalomtorontonews.com/heb.pdf
Shalom Toronto
April 3, 2008
More than 100 Jews from 26 cities across Canada met March 28-30 to form an organization committed to promoting real peace and justice in the Middle East. Convened by the Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians (ACJC), the conference brought together Canadian Jews belonging to 18 different groups to offer an alternative to the uncritical support of Israeli policies by the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Canada-Israel Committee and B’nei Brith, as well as those of the Harper government.
The new organization will instead advocate for Canadian policies which respect international and humanitarian law. Award-winning Jewish-Canadian author Naomi Klein offered a keynote address, “Whatever you do, don’t be normal,” which called on participants to challenge Israel’s “normalization” of policies such as torture, targeted assassinations, and collective punishment in the name of security.
Representatives of progressive Jewish national groups in the US, the UK, and France spoke about the growing “tidal wave” in their countries of Jewish opposition to Israeli mistreatment of Palestinian people. They included Jewish Voice for Peace (the United States), Brit Tzedek v’Shalom (the United States), Independent Jewish Voices (Great Britain), the International Jewish Solidarity Network, European Jews for a Just Peace, and l’Union Juive Française pour la Paix.
Representatives of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, the Canadian Arab Federation and the Canadian Peace Alliance also spoke about the need for a pan-Canadian progressive Jewish voice which can stand in solidarity with their anti-occupation resolutions and calls for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against companies profiting from the Israeli occupation.
The conference was harshly critical of the “Israeli occupation” of Judea and Samaria, the blockade of the Gaza Strip and the Harper government’s policies such as withholding aid to Gaza and endorsing the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Participants unanimously endorsed the following principles: “Human rights are universal and indivisible. This is as applicable in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories as it is elsewhere. Palestinians and Israelis alike have the right to peaceful and secure lives. Peace and stability require the willingness of all parties to the conflict to comply with international law. There is no justification for any form of racism, including anti-Semitism, anti-Arab racism or Islamophobia…The battle against anti-Semitism is undermined whenever opposition to Israel’s government policy is automatically branded as anti-Semitic.”
Diana Ralph, ACJC’s official spokesman, said the weekend conference was a success, the largest gathering of progressive Canadian Jews ever. On March 30 she told Shalom Toronto about the new group’s goals and positions regarding the activities of Israel in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and toward Israeli Arabs.
Shalom Toronto: Does Israel have the right to exist?
We did not discuss the issue. Our participants hold a diversity of views ranging from strongly Zionist to strongly anti-Zionist, from Orthodox to secular, and many perspectives on an appropriate solution to the conflict. In our diversity is our strength, because we all support social justice and humanity for Palestinian people.
Shalom Toronto: Does the Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians support the solution of one country for two peoples?
The Alliance does not have a stance on that issue and does not feel it is in a position to determine what the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be. However, we are interested in changing the policies of the Canadian government so that it will exert pressure on both sides to abide by international law. As Jews we feel we have a special commitment to express our opposition to Israel’s actions, for example torture, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the occupation itself, violations of human rights, administrative detentions, and withholding aid, potable water and medicine from the residents of the Gaza Strip
Shalom Toronto: Why do you focus on Israel and make no mention of the Palestinians’ violation of human rights?
Because Israel claims it is a Jewish state and represents the Jewish people, its actions implicate all Jews worldwide. Therefore, we feel obligated to show that we do not support that Israeli oppressive policies. For the sake of Israel itself and for our own souls we are trying to influence Israel to stop its policies which violate human rights. I was taught that Judaism is based on the values I learned in synagogue; the duty to welcome the stranger, to promote tikkun olam (the healing of the world), emet (truth), tzedaka (justice and charity) and shalom (peace). We see that as our mission.
Shalom Toronto: Does your organization regard Hamas as a terrorist organization?
We do not yet have a position on Hamas. We did not discuss it. The purpose of the conference was to form a pan-Canadian organization of Jews who support peace.
Shalom Toronto: What goals guide your organization?
At the conference we formulated a working plan which seeks to influence politicians and the media, and to bring our message to the Jewish community. We will expose the lies spread by the mainstream Canadian Jewish organizations and the fact that they do not represent all Jews. Our objective is to provide an alternative for the CIJA, the CIC, the CJS and B’nei Brith. We hope to force them to act with integrity, or to expose them as organizations which do not legitimately reflect the views of Canadian Jews.
Shalom Toronto: What is your vision for peace in the Middle East?
If Israel were smart, it would adopt a policy based on a humane and generous attitude toward Palestinian people and its neighbouring [Arab] countries. Only justice and friendship can bring real security. However, Israel instead bases its economy and policies on war and oppression. In addition to causing enormous hardship and suffering to Palestinian people, it also thus endangers its own security and that of Jews in the Diaspora. Israel’s policies lead to anti-Semitism all over the world and give anti-Semites excuses to blame all Jews for Israel’s crimes against humanity.
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Comment by Joseph Zeev (Joe Zabensky), writing from on May 9th, 2008 at 7:07 am:
Gaza and Human Rights:
Today Israel is remembering over 22,000 young men and women soldiers who fell in the defense of Israel so that Israel could survive as a free and democratic Nation.
Yesterday Israel celebrated its 60th Year of existence.
Despite the fact that Israel has had to fight for its daily survival in wars, and suffered from terrorist attacks, and din the past eight years the southern villages have been subjected to daily barrages of missiles , it is Israel who is the most humane nation in the Middle East.
Israel is ,and has been sending convoys of food, fuel and medicine to Gaza, in spite of the fact that Hamas and other groups attack these same convoys. The Expression of Thanks was that Israelis have been killed and wounded to keep these convoys rolling.
Israeli Hospitals give full medical service to all minorities including those coming from Gaza and the West Bank. On the medical staff there are many doctors and nurses who are Christians and Moslems.
At the Israeli Universities, all religions, are represented, both as students and Staff.
Within the Israeli Knesset (parliament) there are many Arabs - even some who are outspoken in their anti Israel beliefs.
Do you know that there are minority groups serving in the Israel Armed forces, such as Druize, Beduins, and Christian– many of whom are high ranking officers.?
Do you know that these same minorities serve in the diplomatic corp.?
Much Can Be improved with respect to the Human Rights of Israeli Citizens,Jews and minority groups alike.
With respect to Gaza. The citizens voted Hamas into power. What has Hamas done for it’s poor, and it’s refugees? Have they raised their standard of Living? Obviously Not.
With all the , and worldwide charity they have been receiving….what is being done?
They have purchased and amassed arms to launch an ongoing attack on Israel…
They have instilled more fear and terror and poverty amongst their own brethren.
So those persons who are really concerned for the well being and Human rights (not politics)should be campaigning against Hamas and other Terrorist Groups….
In constrast, Israel Despite being constantly attacked since it’s Declaration of Independence can be proud of its achievements in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Hi Tech, Education, and Social Welfare, and Agriculture, settlement, land reclamation, and water programs - and ” in making the desert bloom “
I also want to praise Israel’s “Rescue Service” which quickly airlifts medical and trained rescue teams with emergency supplies” to disaster areas all over the world….
Visit Israel and see for yourself…
Keep Well
Keep smiling
Joseph Zeev -(Zabensky)-
(born in Winnipeg, Canada;
raised and educated in Vancouver
active in the community,
profession- engineer, and educator)
proud grandfather of 5)
( now living in Modiin Israel)