reed writes

Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic

Robert Keith “Bob” Rae is a politician.

He recently attended the City of Toronto’s Gay Pride Celebration.

Prior to that, he issued a statement supporting gender equality and Gay Rights. But the key part of his statement referred to a particular group that marched in the Parade. Here’s the quote that jumped out at me:

“I deeply regret the decision of some to use the events this week to attack the state of Israel, and in particular to accuse Israel of being “an apartheid regime”.  Israel’s record on human rights, respect for the rule of law, and in particular its support of gay and lesbian rights stands as a notable exception to the practice elsewhere in the Middle East, where many countries still consider homosexuality to be a crime, in some cases punishable by death, where democratic elections are still non-existent, and respect for independent courts and the rule of law unknown.”

Few in Canada know better how to recognize oppression, prejudice and segregation than the Canadian Gay and Lesbian community. When it comes to human rights violations, the gay community knows what that means. So it seems odd that Mr. Rae would decide to lecture them on the subject.

Moreover, it is not helpful to make comparisons between the State of Israel and its neighbours with respect to the question of gender equality and gay rights. Unlike its neighbours, Israel is a western-style, settler state, with deep societal roots in Europe and North America. Millions of Israelis have their cultural and family origins in the West. So it’s quite normal to expect their government to adhere to certain western standards. It’s no surprise that Israel supports and approves of Homosexual Rights. In fact it would be surprising if Israel did not support those rights.

It’s my view, as well as the view of many other Canadians and not a few distinguished Israeli scholars such as Ilan Pappe, Avi Shlaim and other internationally respected public figures, that Israel is indeed a State that occupies, oppresses and segregates those whom it regards as threatening or inferior, specifically, the Palestinian Arabs.

In fact Avrum Burg, who was the Speaker of the 15th Knesset, Chairman of the Jewish Agency and also head of the World Zionist Council, has called for an end to Israeli occupation and settlement expansion; he advocates a complete withdrawal from all occupied territory.

Speaker Burg has written that, “The Israeli nation today rests on…foundations of oppression and injustice”. Would you characterize Avrum Burg as an anti-Semite?

Perhaps, Mr. Rae, it’s not “Apartheid” in the strict definition of that term.

Perhaps it’s something else. We know that among many right-wing Israeli politicians, there is open talk of schemes to “transfer” Palestinians from their own land to Jordan and/or other neighbouring Arab countries.

Would you approve of that? Of course you wouldn’t, because it would be morally repugnant. Even Daniel Pipes, an ardent supporter of Israel agrees such an act would be inflammatory.

According to news reports, all across Israel you can see alarming graffiti that reads, ‘Arabs out’—like Juden raus. Not very pleasant is it? Those who care – say that although such graffiti is written by hoodlums and extremists – the municipalities on whose walls it is written, often do not bother to erase it. By not speaking out against such outrages, we give them tacit approval.

(In the 1930’s we also failed to speak out.)

Of course you would not approve such an action because you know very well it is even worse than morally repugnant.

Your failure, like that of so many others, to grasp the nettle of exposing the illegal and reprehensible aspects of Israeli behaviour will make achieving a peace deal increasingly difficult. It will reinforce present Israeli  policy, which certainly flirts with and borders on Apartheid, as even Defence Minister Ehud Barak has suggested.

Until you begin to speak out in support of fundamental truth and justice, Mr. Rae, your words of support for gender equality, are merely the usual hollow political posturing and begging for support…just a bunch of empty words.

And with respect to the Middle East, about all we do know of your policy position is that apparently Israel can do no wrong. Many thousands of Israelis would disagree with you. They would say that you’re mistaken to criticise a group for attacking Israeli policies that impose collective punishment on a whole people and systematically expropriate (steal) their lands.

Just take a look at the maps.

Even Anthony Cordesman, a staunch supporter of Israel and one of America’s foremost security experts, calls Israel a “strategic liability”, given the behaviour of its government.

I know you read the New York Times Mr Rae…I’ve watched you leafing though it.

It must have galled you to read Nicholas Kristoff’s recent columns…http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/opinion/01kristof.html?_r=1

When you become more tuned in to what is right and wrong in this world and when you develop a more advanced standard of personal morals and ethics, then you will deserve to be listened to and heeded as a Member of the Canadian Parliament.

At the moment, you are speaking with a forked tongue.

Subtitle: “Pinning the Tail on the Other Donkey”

What follows, is the full text of Jack Layton’s “reply” to the open letter I sent him and other political leaders in defence of Libby Davies’ criticism of Israel. (You’ll notice he doesn’t bother to address me personally…not that it matters).

Jack Layton, Leader NDP Canada

Thank you for your message, I appreciate you taking the time to send us
your comments.

First, let me be clear that the position of the NDP with regard to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has not changed, a position that was democratically adopted at a Convention of our delegates from across Canada.  Our party has always been principled and constructive in how it addresses this complex issue; we recognize the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with negotiated, agreed-upon borders. We are committed to working with like-minded allies in the region to make concrete and lasting progress toward peace. (more…)

Henry Siegman, director of the U.S./Middle East Project, is a visiting research professor at the Sir Joseph Hotung Middle East Program, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He is a former Senior Fellow on the Middle East at the Council on Foreign Relations and, before that, was national director of the American Jewish Congress from 1978 to 1994. Here is what he wrote in Ha’aretz, Israel’s largest daily newspaper.

By Henry Siegman

Following Israel’s bloody interdiction of the Gaza Flotilla, I called a life-long friend in Israel to inquire about the mood of the country. My friend, an intellectual and a kind and generous man, has nevertheless long sided with Israeli hardliners. Still, I was entirely unprepared for his response. He told me—in a voice trembling with emotion—that the world’s outpouring of condemnation of Israel is reminiscent of the dark period of the Hitler era. (more…)

The Non-Violent Path To Peace in the Middle East…

A Really Important Book

…it’s been a long weary road, with discouragement, defeat and disaster at every turn.  The Palestine brand can only be described as one that expresses the essence of suffering in the 21st century.

Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta

Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta, a long-time resident of Israel and passionate peace activist, has put together a book called “Refusing to be Enemies.” She says the strategy of non-violent action is having an impact. “When you are sent to jail for non-violent protest, then you know the authorities are paying attention.”

Peaceful demonstrators are defined as “enemies of the Israeli state.” All non-violent actions are carried out by Palestinians and Israelis together.

Dr. Franklin

Ms. Kaufman’s book is graced with an eloquent forward by the renowned Canadian scholar, Ursula Franklin. Professor Franklin says that the very term “enemy” is a heavily loaded one.

“Not only can the presence of “enemies” serve as social glue, their presumed evil intent and unbending hostility can become the justification for otherwise unacceptable actions against them. Once one appreciates the deep social roots of the concept of “The Enemy”, it becomes clear that refusing to be enemies is a profoundly political act.”

Ms. Kaufman’s book is a must read for all of us who care about peace.

Sometimes We Need To Reflect On Just Who We Are

We are quick to demonize Islam, calling it a male-centred, oppressive and aggressive religious belief. But in doing so, we forget not only our own history and past practices, we forget our own present-day sins.

The Christian Crusades constituted perhaps the bloodiest and most aggressive campaign against innocent people ever conducted by a religious civilization based – supposedly – on the teachings of Jesus. (more…)