"Zero Tolerance" & a Measured Response

On Sunday I spoke to the congregation about the unsettling statements from representatives of the federal government suggesting that there will be "zero tolerance" for boycotts of Israel or settlements in the Palestinian territories. The suggestion is that any such activity could be addressed under Canada's Hate Crime laws, which is absurd to the extreme and would be likely be indefensible under the Charter of Rights & Freedoms. Since the initial statements and the article from the CBC Steven Blaney claimed that the concerns are "ridiculous." Why were they made in the first place.

 

Here is the measured and direct response from the Moderator of the United Church, Gary Paterson.

Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper,

Greetings in Christ from The United Church of Canada.
This letter comes to you with concern in light of responses from our government to the article by CBC journalist Neil Macdonald ("Ottawa cites hate crime laws when asked about its ‘zero tolerance’' for Israel boycotters," May 11 2015, CBC)1.

The United Church seeks to live into a vision of Canada as a just society within a caring world, expressed in active, thoughtful involvement in society. This is reflected in the church’s commitment to working with others seeking peace with justice in Israel and Palestine. This work is rooted in the gospel mandate to be peacemakers and in response to the calls of Palestinian and Israeli partners to join them in working toward a just peace for both peoples.

The United Church is not advocating a boycott of Israel; our economic action campaign against goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is one piece within a broader program of prayer, partnership, and trust-building efforts. The church’s actions are consistent with our understandings of the shared value Canadians have for the democratic right of freedom of expression. The United Church of Canada stands in solidarity with groups and individuals exercising this right in non-violent, peaceful ways.

The CBC story picks up on concerns in the larger Canadian context about a growing climate of fear and possible infringements of democratic rights through recent legislation. Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney has said that the concerns raised in the CBC article are "inaccurate and ridiculous." However, coupled with comments made by the Minister himself at the United Nations in New York, and by his office in response to a request for clarification as to the meaning of "zero tolerance," we believe that Canadians need clear reassurance from our government.

We welcome your response, and pray for you and all political leaders as you carry out your duties and responsibilities in public service.

Sincerely,

The Right Rev. Gary Paterson

Moderator The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada

I hope you are proud of Gary for responding in such a worthwhile manner.

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