Progressive Jews Welcome Defeat of Motion Condemning Israeli Apartheid Week
OTTAWA, March 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), a national network of Jewish human-rights activists, welcomes yesterday’s defeat of MP Tim Uppal’s House of Commons motion condemning Israeli Apartheid Week.
“This shows courage to stand up to the Orwellian attempts by Israel’s supporters to bully Israel’s critics into silence,” said IJV spokesperson Sid Shniad. “Apartheid”, the term Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak and former prime minister Olmert used to describe the occupation’s effects, shouldn’t be controversial.
“Whether or not you agree with the term ‘apartheid’, all Canadians should defend free speech and oppose limiting debate, especially considering these terms are part of the Israel mainstream debate,” said Shniad.
IJV also commends Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath for her statement calling a similar provincial motion by MPP Peter Shurman “divisive by nature” and calls for the Ontario legislature to reject such motions in the future.”
Founded in 2008, IJV-Canada is a large national organization of Jewish activists committed to social justice and universal human rights.
For further information: Sid Shniad, (604) 591-3099
Mr Shniad, If you recognize the right of these thugs to spread lies to justify future murders, I ask you to also recognize my right to call you an idiot.
I trust you will, therefore, not delete this comment.
I must say that your group is a breath of fresh air. I too, find it alarming that Israel’s policies are somehow linked to anti-semitism if they are not agreed to. I find the treatment of the palestinians deplorable and western nations have done nothing but enabled the behaviour. The comment by Emmanuel before was an example of the bruttish behaviour by those that are not willing to face criticism. To call people “thugs” and “idiots” is an example of why we continue to have the current situation we do. I commend your group and wish you all the best. I wish I had heard comments from your group when Ann coulter made the racist and repugnant remarks that she did against the muslim community recently. I believe if the Jewish community would be vocal when racism of all forms are evident, it will go far in altering the general population’s view that jewish groups are only self-interested.