Israel

Will Conservative party puffery or NDP principle determine Canada's Palestine policy?

yves engler — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 19:59:38 +0000

The Conservative party leadership campaign has unleashed pro-Israel puffery, but it is the NDP race that could have greater impact on Canada's Palestine policy.

Aping Donald Trump, former Conservative minister Kellie Leitch recently asked her Twitter followers to "join me in calling on the Government of Canada to immediately move our embassy in Israel to Jerusalem." This would likely contravene international law.

Millionaire patrons of Jewish studies in Canada more interested in pro-Israel lobby than anti-racism

yves engler — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 19:52:41 +0000

Is a school lesson plan, widely used across Canada, designed to fight racism like its promoters say? Or is it also a clever cover for defending Jewish and white supremacy in the Middle East?

A recent 12-page Canadian Jewish News insert about Elizabeth and Tony Comper raises the issue. According to the supplement, in 2005 the Bank of Montreal head and his wife Elizabeth started Fighting Anti-Semitism Together (FAST), a coalition of non-Jewish business leaders and prominent individuals. FAST sponsored a lesson plan for grades six to eight called "Choose Your Voice: Antisemitism in Canada."

Justin Trudeau follows Stephen Harper's lead in Israel and Palestine

gerry caplan — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:12:50 +0000

The Prime Minister dispatched Governor General David Johnston to the Middle East recently on a mission that largely wasted everybody's time.

The GG was instructed to articulate the government's position favouring the creation of an independent Palestine living in peace next to Israel: "a two-state solution and a just, long-standing and comprehensive peace."

The GG's tour, so the media were informed, is part of the Liberal government's effort to "recalibrate" Canada's policy in the Middle East. Justin Trudeau promises a more "balanced" position after a decade of Pavlovian Conservative support for Israel in any and all circumstances.

Green Party compromise on BDS motion offers win for everyone -- and plenty of confusion

the views expressed — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 19:49:47 +0000

The Green Party convention this past weekend offered a win for everyone. Sort of.

The convention was held to clarify the Greens' position vis-à-vis economic pressure on Israel for its human rights abuses. Green leader Elizabeth May was so opposed to an August resolution condemning Israel's human rights abuses that she had threatened to resign. Influential party activists sought to preserve their August win while maintaining party unity.

More than 50 cultural and political icons urge Green Party to stay the course on BDS

the views expressed — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:49:33 +0000

More than 50 cultural and political figures released the following open letter today, calling for the Green Party of Canada not to reverse its party policy established at convention in August, where it overwhelmingly voted to support the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement in opposition to Israel's occupation of Palestine.

Why can't we have a real, open debate on Israel and Palestine?

the views expressed — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 19:42:28 +0000

Last month, The Vancouver Sun printed a remarkable apology to Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Canada. The Sun editorial board had published a piece in August claiming that IJV -- a Jewish organization -- had denied the Holocaust and encouraged terrorism against Israelis. The only problem was, they were dead wrong.

'Canada is back' to isolating itself from world opinion on Palestinian rights

yves engler — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 16:18:14 +0000

How can you identify a Canadian Liberal? They talk to the left, but walk to the right.

Under Justin Trudeau, "Canada is back" to isolating itself from world opinion on Palestinian rights.

Quebeckers and Jews share an empowered sense of vulnerability. And it's not warranted.

yves engler — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 20:14:21 +0000

What do today's right-wing Quebec and Israeli nationalists share in common? A claim to victimhood that enables them to deny their role in oppressing others.

This commonality became clear when a prominent right-wing Quebec nationalist politician cited the French language and Jewish sensibilities to criticize immigration and the veil. It also reflected a historic reversal in Québecois-Jewish relations. More significantly, it highlighted the dangers of an "empowered sense of vulnerability," a psychological state many Quebeckers and Jews seem to share.

Atlantic Jewish Council doesn't speak for all Jewish Haligonians on Pinkwashing

IJV — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 13:39:31 +0000

The Atlantic Jewish Council (AJC) took over Halifax Pride's Annual General Meeting the evening of October 5, packing it with over 200 people, an action that one Palestinian activist likened to "an occupation."

Halifax Pride is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer (LGBTQ+) association whose main activity is organizing that city's Pride Week every July. The AJC is the mainstream body that claims to represent Halifax's 1,500 Jews.

Interview: Canadian activist on the Women's Boats to Gaza demands blockade to be lifted

MiriamKatawazi — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 13:00:43 +0000

Wendy Goldsmith was on one of the women's boats to Gaza. Her boat didn't make it out of Sicily, but they remained in contact with the Zaytouna-Oliva up until it was boarded and kidnapped.

Women's Boats to Gaza: Interview with activist Wendy Goldsmith

rabble staff — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:29:40 +0000

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Goldsmith is on one of the Women's Boats to Gaza. Her boat didn't make it out of Sicily, but they remained in contact with the Zaytouna-Oliva up until it was boarded and kidnapped.

Wendy Goldsmith is an activist and social worker from London, Ont. She is on one of the Women's Boats to Gaza. Goldsmith's boat didn't make it out of Sicily, but they remained in contact with the Zaytouna-Oliva up until they were boarded and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli Occupation Forces.

rabble.ca's Meg Borthwick spoke to Goldsmith about her journey with the Women's Boat to Gaza.

How did you become involved with the Women's Boat to Gaza?

Women's Boat to Gaza sends SOS before being boarded by Israeli Navy

maya.bhullar — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 17:23:11 +0000

Publish Date:

October 5, 2016

Summary:

Take action and demand an end to the blockade.

Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Israeli Navy Preparing for Flotilla Operation (4).jpg

The women's boat to gaza was 35 nautical miles (65 kilometers) from their destination when it was diverted to an Israeli port by the Navy. Today there has also been Israeli bombing in Gaza.

This SOS message went out from the boat before it was boarded. "Work for the freedom and human rights, the lifting of the blockade against the people of Gaza. And for the freedom for the Palestinian people and peace in the Middle East, " says Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire. "We can all do this together. It's not a dream."

Avi Nesher on his new film 'Past Life,' justice, truth, memory and reconciliation

Face2Face — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 00:25:47 +0000

Avi Nesher on "Past Life", Justice, Truth, Memory and Reconciliation

Avi and I talked about his brilliant and beautiful new film Past Life, and letting go, about justice, pessimism and why he believes we need to "let life take over."

For more information about Past Life (IMDB) and TIFF.

Synopsis

In the fascinating new film from director Avi Nesher (The Wonders), two Israeli sisters delve into the dark mystery of their father's former life in Poland during World War II.

The newest film by Avi Nesher boldly charts dangerous emotional territory as it tells of two sisters trying to uncover their family's past.

Anti-Palestinian media bias still remains untouchable even to Canada's media critics

yves engler — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 08:44:58 +0000

Media coverage of world affairs mostly focuses on Ottawa's and Washington's perspectives. While the dominant media is blatant in its subservience to Canadian and Western power, even independent media is often afraid to challenge the foreign policy status quo.

A recent Canadaland podcast simultaneously highlighted anti-Palestinian media bias and the fear liberal journalists face in discussing one of the foremost social justice issues of our time. The media watchdog's discussion of the Green Party's recent resolutions supporting Palestinian rights started strong with Canadaland publisher Jesse Brown laying out three claims:

Maya Zinshtein on football, racism, religion, and her new film 'Forever Pure'

Face2Face — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 13:39:20 +0000

Maya Zinshtein on football, racism, religion, and hate.

Maya and I talk about her important new film Forever Pure, racism, religion and hate, Israel, the cost of remaining silent, and politics as sport.

Forever Pure recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. For more information about the festival go here.

Watch the trailer.

Synopsis