That UN Security Council resolution harshly criticizing Israel’s settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has revealed sharp divisions among Canadian Zionists. Read more.
In addition to causing a major public relations disaster for Mr. Netanyahu, and a series of potential political problems for Mr. Trudeau, the UN vote has also prompted a more open vigorous debate about Israel/Palestine among Jewish Canadians.
It isn’t surprising that anti-Zionist Jewish organizations, like Independent Jewish Voices Canada have “applauded” the UN Resolution.
But the vote has also prompted a great deal of debate within the Zionist Canadian community. Some fiercely and indignantly denounce the UN. But others are a lot more nuanced and some are openly critical of the Israeli government. Take a look.
Here’s the Jewish establishment view…
“A TERRIBLE MISTAKE AT THE UNITED NATIONS LAST WEEK”
Avi Benlolo, President Canadian friends of Simon Wiesenthal Foundation.
“KERRY AND OBAMA MAKE U.S. COMPLICIT IN PALESTINIAN HYPOCRISY”
Mordechai Ben Dat, columnist at Canadian Jewish News.
“PALESTINIAN REJECTIONISM REMAINS CORE BARRIER TO PEACE”
Shimon Fogel, CEO, CIJA
But here are some liberal Zionist views…
“JOHN KERRY IS (MOSTLY) RIGHT ABOUT THE SETTLEMENTS”
Hart Schwartz, past Chair, Jspace Canada
“ISRAEL (SHOULD) EMBRACE UNSC RESOLUTION”
– Canadian Friends of Peace Now
“KERRY’S SPEECH RAISES TROUBLING QUESTIONS ABOUT ISRAEL”
Mira Sucharov, Canadian professor and frequent blogger at Ha’aretz and Globe and Mail
(Sucharov’s contribution, published in Canadian Jewish News, was of particular note because she even raised a subject that remains almost completely taboo for Zionists – the issue of the Palestinian refugees.)
Will the divisions continue to widen?
It is not new for Jewish Canadians – even Zionists – to have different opinions about Israel. But what appears to be new however is that the differences seem to be widening, and they are beginning to spill out into the public. This has left some leaders of major Canadian Jewish organizations visibly uncomfortable.
David Cape, Chair, CIJA
“I don’t know about you, but I’m frustrated.. [The UN vote and the Kerry speech] risk dividing our own community. ..polarizing this issue along political lines.”
– David Cape, Chair, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
A worried David Cape, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, wrote to his membership in the days immediately following the vote. He noted that the UN vote and Kerry’s speech, “risk dividing our own community. ..polarizing this issue along political lines, and distracting from the real barriers to peace. There is significant diversity of opinion among the Israeli people and the Jewish community in Canada regarding Israeli settlements.”
One thing does seem to be clear, however. An increasing number of Canadian Jews, including many who still describe themselves as Zionists, are openly expressing concern that the settlement enterprise is destroying the hope for a “two state solution”.
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“Raise the issue, but lower the temperature”
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