The Prime Minister of Canada is in Israel with a fairly large delegation of staff and business leaders for several days of trade talks. The PM has also addressed the Knesset, the Israeli parliament and pledged unwavering support for the state of Israel, claiming it is the "moral imperative" of the Canadian people to do so for the sake of democracy. I agree, whole-heartedly, because I am convinced that the state of Israel should exist and that all democratic countries should be its staunch allies. Israel has the right to autonomy and to protect itself from enemies.
The speech didn't go far enough though. It is also the moral imperative of Canada to support the plight of the Palestinian people and uphold international law. The destruction of Palestinian communities, the establishment of settlements with roughly 350,000 residents, the reluctance to consider a two-state solution, are all reasons for great concern. These concerns have been identified by the United Nations, long-time ally the United States, along with the European Union. Prime Minister Harper's refusal to even allude to these issues might be considered a moral failure.
It is possible to admire Israel and pledge support without accepting its choice to occupy Palestinian lands or to violate international conventions. I have been reading Ari Shavit's exceptional book, My Promised Land and he invites us to develop a balanced and nuanced picture of the complex issues of Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. He writes as a Jew who grew up in Israel, served in the military, was once part of the peace movement, and continues to love his country. Perhaps Mr. Harper should get a copy of the book and consider it thoroughly. When he suggests that raising concerns about justice is anti-Semitism he is doing everyone a great disservice. The United Church of Canada, along with many other denominations, is not anti-Israel, nor anti-Semitic, but we have spoken out about these concerns.
Well, you know how I feel! What are your thoughts about this junket to Israel? Are you supportive, have reservations, angry?
5 comments:
I agree 100%. Israel does have a right to exist, and if I were a citizen of Israel, I suppose I would want someone like Netanyahu - a hardliner - to be my leader. You are surrounded by countries that do not recognize your right to exist.
However, I am also sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians for all the reasons you've mentioned. I wish our PM would be as vocal about helping the Palestinians as he is concerned about any criticism towards Israel being perceived as anti-semetic.
I agree with you 100%, also!
The Harper technique is: a strong offence is a good defense. He sets up others so they must explain their actions and avoids explanations of his own. It is tiresome and very transparent. His formula is repetitive and insulting and the public wearies responding to it. Twisting the facts does wear thin as people can hear the falseness and the obfuscation in his vague rhetoric. It is not antisemitic to support Palestine. (as in fact they are a semitic race)
Sadly, this is a part of the world that has been fragmented for centuries. Not even the "Hebrew" spiritual cultures were in agreement. Still a factor today. In 1947-48 the United Nations decided to create a state that did not exist since around 70 ce because we recognized that Europe had been unable to accept a people unique to their own culture.
How will the future deal with demands made by displaced aboriginals?
As well, we must not forget that the United Natio s ignored an option that would have seen both the Palestinians and the Jewish peoples share the land. Agreed-both groups refuzed that option.
Thank you all for these perspectives. Excellent thoughts!
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