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) 591-3099Dear Friends, Thank you so much for taking the time to write and express your views about the motion proposed by a Conservative MP, about Israeli Apartheid Week. I have heard from many people on this issue.
The motion came forward on March 11th, and did not receive unanimous consent, and so was not approved by Parliament. A second motion from the Bloc Québécois also failed to receive unanimous consent.
The Conservative motion was designed to be divisive and to censure legitimate debate on the issue of Israel’s policies as well as to specifically target activists who are engaged in debate and other activities on various campuses across the country.
I didn’t support either motion, and whatever one thinks about the term “apartheid” in reference to Israel, I don’t believe that Members of Parliament should have any role or influence in stifling open discussion and education on this issue. As someone who has visited the West Bank and Gaza twice (most recently in August of 2009), I know first-hand the impact and destruction caused by Israeli policies towards Palestinians. Copies of the report from my trip can be found at:
http://www.libbydavies.ca/sites/default/files/Parliamentary%20Delegation%20to%20Palestine,%20August%207-14,%202009.pdf
I really appreciate that so many people have taken the time to support freedom of speech and the rights of the Palestinian people. I will continue to do the same.
Sincerely,
Libby Davies
Member of Parliament – Vancouver East
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