Prime Minister Stephen Harper's position that any
criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic may be politically
convenient for the Tories, but it's dangerously
simplistic as Canadian policy. By that logic,
disapproval of China's treatment of Tibet is
merely the extension of an anti-Chinese racism
that saw the carving up of that country by
Western powers and Japan, and the institution
of a head tax and a law to keep Chinese immigrants
out of Canada.
criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic may be politically
convenient for the Tories, but it's dangerously
simplistic as Canadian policy. By that logic,
disapproval of China's treatment of Tibet is
merely the extension of an anti-Chinese racism
that saw the carving up of that country by
Western powers and Japan, and the institution
of a head tax and a law to keep Chinese immigrants
out of Canada.
By this thinking, Western censure of Zimbabwe's
Robert Mugabe simply perpetuates a Europe-Africa
relationship that brought the slave trade and settler
colonialism. In fact, there is some truth to all of
these assertions. Nevertheless, anyone who cares
about justice or long-term peace cannot use one oppression
to justify another.
Robert Mugabe simply perpetuates a Europe-Africa
relationship that brought the slave trade and settler
colonialism. In fact, there is some truth to all of
these assertions. Nevertheless, anyone who cares
about justice or long-term peace cannot use one oppression
to justify another.
The expulsion of Palestinians from their land and
their ongoing subjection to illegal colonization and
draconian living conditions are not masked by
Harper's rhetoric about anti-Semitism.
their ongoing subjection to illegal colonization and
draconian living conditions are not masked by
Harper's rhetoric about anti-Semitism.
If the Canadian government is to have any credibility
at home or abroad, it must approach these conflicts
with a sense of fairness and justice. Otherwise, it's
not fooling anyone.
at home or abroad, it must approach these conflicts
with a sense of fairness and justice. Otherwise, it's
not fooling anyone.
Richard Fung, Toronto
Your article mentions the Jewish counter-
demonstration at the Queen's Park rally
commemorating Al Nakba. However, you neglected to
report on the Jewish groups at the rally that stand side
by side with the Palestinians.
demonstration at the Queen's Park rally
commemorating Al Nakba. However, you neglected to
report on the Jewish groups at the rally that stand side
by side with the Palestinians.
Many Jewish people demand an end to the occupation,
the separation wall, the checkpoints where Palestinians
are humiliated, the siege of Gaza, the imprisonment
of Palestinian youth, and Israel's disproportionate
military attacks.
the separation wall, the checkpoints where Palestinians
are humiliated, the siege of Gaza, the imprisonment
of Palestinian youth, and Israel's disproportionate
military attacks.
Judith Deutsch, Toronto
It is good to finally see that Canadian journalists and
politicians are speaking out against the racist,
meddling ramblings of the Israeli ambassador to
Canada, Alan Baker. His latest statement about the
threat to our values posed by Muslim Canadians and
his personal attack on an MP of Arab descent have
got to take the cake.
politicians are speaking out against the racist,
meddling ramblings of the Israeli ambassador to
Canada, Alan Baker. His latest statement about the
threat to our values posed by Muslim Canadians and
his personal attack on an MP of Arab descent have
got to take the cake.
Haroon Siddiqui is right: If an ambassador from an
Arab country made similar statements about
Jewish Canadians, "We'd tell them to mind their
own business and not interfere in Canadian affairs.
" Why the double standard?
Arab country made similar statements about
Jewish Canadians, "We'd tell them to mind their
own business and not interfere in Canadian affairs.
" Why the double standard?
Linda Belanger, Ottawa
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