Anti-Semitism is real, and it used to be defined as hatred for Jews. But now Israel advocates are trying to twist the meaning of anti-Semitism, in order to get Canadians to crack down on those who oppose the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Thursday in Montreal, Mayor Coderre held a private meeting with former MP Irwin Cotler, and pro-Israel organizations like the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the B’nai Brith and Federation CJA to set up a hate crimes unit, and plan an anti-Semitism summit.
Along with the Harper government, Israel advocates have been trying to politicize the definition of anti-Semitism to include criticism of Israel, and advocacy for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) of Israel until Palestinian rights are respected.
What are the stats for hate crimes? We are not told. Previous data clearly shows that Muslims and sexual minorities such as lesbian, gay and transgender people are much more victimized by violent hate crimes than Jews.
The Israeli army and police train Canadian police* on urban counter-protester tactics based on their experience with occupying Palestinians. Is this hate crimes unit an extension of that mission?
Montreal’s new anti-Semitism and hate crime policies are ideologically constructed. They are less about fighting real anti-Semitism, and more about setting the stage to go after people who support Palestinian human rights.
Is this phenomenon taking place in your city or province?
Secondly, the ceremony with the Mayor was coupled with the Israeli Consulate honouring the well-respected Montreal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities document. However, the cruel irony is that Israel systematically violates the municipal rights of Palestinians – many of whom are Israeli citizens – as a strategy to occupy more Palestinian homes and property.
1. Palestinians, unlike Jews, are systematically evicted from their homes so Jewish citizens can settle or occupy.
2. Palestinians, unlike Jews, are systematically denied building permits.
3. Palestinians, unlike Jews, are systematically found by Israeli courts to be inhabiting “illegal” homes and property, and systematically have their homes bulldozed and property reclaimed by Israel for Jewish use only.
Shame on Montreal for buying into the Israel lobby’s mission to aide Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
By Scott Weinstein, IJV-Montreal
* In 2005, 32 Canadian police-chiefs visited Israel – hosted by the Israeli Police and the Israeli Ministry of Internal Security. The Canadian – Israeli security collaboration has only deepened since then. (Canadian and Israeli Defense — Industrial and Homeland Security Ties: An Analysis – page 9-11).
The IJV’s webpage section on Challenging Israel’s exportation of its pacification industry delves further into this threat to our domestic rights.
