Palestine: Parliamentary left still AWOL
Continued from this arbitrarily-closed thread-chunk.
Yves Engler has a good article at Zspace on the historical aspects of this subject:
In 1975, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution (72 votes to 35 with 32 abstentions) calling Zionism a form of racism. In response, CLC President Joe Morris, stated, "By this act, it can justifiably be argued the UN has 'legitimized' anti-Semitism and pogroms against Jews. Canadian labor will fight all moves to implement such a resolution and will exercise its influence to prevent further extensions of the resolution." The same year, the CLC vigorously opposed the admission of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) to the International Labor Organisation and in 1985 CLC president Dennis McDermott denounced a Canadian Senate report that rebuked Israel's 1982 invasion/occupation of Lebanon and provided mild support for the PLO. McDermott, who refered to himself as a "Catholic Zionist," said the Senate report, which stopped short of calling the PLO the legitimate voice of Palestinians, was an ''exercise in bad judgment and, even worse, bad taste.'' (A portrait of McDermott hangs in a library named after him at the trade school of the Histadrut union in Israel.)
Most astoundingly, in 1956, the CLC called on the Canadian government to "lend its sympathetic support to Israel's request for defensive armaments in order that Israel may match in quality if not in quantity, the constant flow of Soviet Block armaments into the Arab countries." The resolution was passed just before Israel invaded Egypt alongside former colonial powers France and Britain. What is especially disturbing about this resolution is that Canada had been selling Israel weapons for a number of years and was under (private) pressure from Washington to send Israel advanced fighter jets.
Unions are not the only part of the Left that staunchly supported Israel. In 1975, Tommy Douglas, the head of the CCF (precursor to the NDP) and 'father of Medicare', told the Histadrut, "The main enmity against Israel is that she has been an affront to those nations who do not treat their people and their workers as well as Israel has treated hers." This speech was made eight years into Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and a quarter century after 800,000 Palestinians were ethnically cleansed during the 1948 war. Staunch Zionist Irving Abella explained in the late 1970s that, "Historically, the New Democratic Party (NDP) has been the most supportive of the Israeli cause, largely because of its close relationship to Israel's labour party, and to the Histadrut, the Israel trade union movement."
The Left is still not unanimous in its antagonism towards Israeli policy in Palestine, its domestic racism or its belligerence in the region (over the years Israel has bombed Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Iraq and is now threatening to bomb Iran). Some unions continue to buy Israel Bonds while NDP MPs still take tours of the region organized by pro-Israel groups. In a particularly distasteful episode last year, the NDP opposed and then supported the Harper government when Canada was the first country to withdraw from the second UN Conference on Racism ("Durban II"), much to the delight of the Israeli government, which was the second country to pull out (criticism of Zionism at Durban I was deemed "anti-semitic").
Comments
Strong and much-appreciated words from Libby Davis.
Quite a contrast with the form e-mail below that just wafted in from Jack Layton.
Notice that the only mention made of Israel appears in the expression "indiscriminate rocket attacks on *****"!
Sheesh!
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Thank you for expressing your deep concern over the continuing crisis in Gaza. I share the desire of Canadians for a lasting peace in the region.
Canada's New Democrats condemn the unacceptable escalation of violence in the Middle East that has led to the death and injury of so many civilians. We have called upon the Harper government to demonstrate leadership and push for an immediate end to the aerial bombing of Gaza, the blockade of aid to civilians, and the indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel.
Regrettably, the Conservative government's disappointing response has hurt Canada's role as a potential partner in bringing an end to the current crisis in Gaza.
NDP Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar continues to challenge the failure of the Harper government to support the delivering of aid to civilians and the monitoring of any ceasefire. "We should be supporting initiatives at the Security Council to provide leadership to have a ceasefire put in place immediately, to ensure that there's humanitarian aid able to get into Gaza unfettered, and Canada should be supplying some of that aid," Mr. Dewar said. "I think most people would want to see Canada's voice join others to look for a peaceful resolution in the end, obviously, but immediately to call for a ceasefire and provision of humanitarian aid and assistance."
Please refer to the following link to read more about this issue: http://www.ndp.ca/press/new-democrat-statement-on-situation-in-middle-ea... .
Again, I appreciate the time you have taken to register your views. All the best.
Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada's New Democrats
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Flip-flops is a fairly broad brush to be painting the NDP with considering the blunders and indecisiveness of the two parties most experienced with making blunders and flopping to the flip side and vice versa. And the above insinuates that the NDP is lost on foreign policy and unable to make decisions on their own without looking to the Harpers for guidance. Get real! Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
On the contrary, there's been no indecisiveness or flip-flopping on Israel on the part of the Liberals and Conservatives. They are consistent in their support for Israeli expansion, aggression, and terrorism.
And if you can't see the cavernous difference between Libby Davies's message and Layton's, then you just aren't looking.
And you wonder why the NDP and CLC has yet to gain the trust of visible minorities and ethnic communities. They are still tied to the reactionary labour politics of the 20th century and the domination of a few over the political apparatus that has yet to adapt to the emerging multicultural reality of Canada. The NDP should be first and foremost in the international solidarity struggle, but even its peace moves are overshadowed by a genuflection to Canada's elite opinion makers.
On the contrary, there's been no indecisiveness or flip-flopping on Israel on the part of the Liberals and Conservatives. They are consistent in their support for Israeli expansion, aggression, and terrorism.
That's true, but as Canadian Stephen Gowans said recently that Canada was a significant supporter of "Responsibility to Protect" in these situations since Jean Chretien realized a need to provide legal backup to NATO and the US military with genocidal saturation bombing of Yugoslavia. The US needed a legal excuse to invade after the bombing since it didnt have a UN rubberstamp, and our Liberals flopped over for a belly rub from Uncle Sam then.
And since that bit of vicious toadying to Murder Inc. on R2P wrt Yugoslavia, the Liberals have had to bury that recent history. So what you said is not really true in this regard. Our federal Liberals have actually done a dbl somersault as opposed to your basic flip-flop on this particular issue.
I think what Layton says is more in-line with responsibility to protect Gazans from the atrocities taking place today.
http://www.ndp.ca/press/statement-by-new-democrat-leader-jack-layton-on-conflict-in-middle-east
"Working with the international community, Canada has a role to play in helping to end the violence. Canada should express its readiness to facilitate negotiations and assist with the international monitoring of the ceasefire, including by providing Canadians troops as UN peacekeepers. The monitoring must be implemented in a way that prevents rocket attacks on Israel and the smuggling of weapons into Gaza."
Hark! The power of the internet at my fingertips has revealed this before mine round baby blues. Is it sorcery?
New Democrat statement on the situation in the Middle East
Mon 29 Dec 2008
It is a tragedy that hundreds of civilians have again become the victims of violence in this conflict. The continuing airstrikes by Israel on civilians in the Gaza strip and the ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians are serving to compound the existing civilian disaster and further harm chances for a negotiated peace.
We call on the Government of Canada to immediately call for an end to the aerial bombing of Gaza, the blockade of aid to civilians and the indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel. Indeed, the government must urge both sides to agree to end the current hostilities immediately, reinstate the ceasefire and return to the peace process.
The Government of Canada should also work to ensure that medical and food aid is provided to the civilians of Gaza through U.N. agencies.
New Democrats believe that Canada must pursue a balanced approach to the Middle East crisis, in keeping with Canadians' deep desire for peace in the Middle East and are ready to work with the new administration in the U.S. towards a lasting peace in the region. This goal cannot be achieved while citizens in such large numbers are being killed and endangered.
===
Atamanenko calls on P.M. to End Silence about Gaza Attacks and Back UN Call for CeasefireUrges return to Peace Process
“The government of Canada should be calling for an immediate end to the aerial bombing of Gaza, and urge both sides to reinstate a ceasefire and return to the peace process,” said Atamanenko. “The government must also work to ensure that medical and food aid is provided to civilians through UN agencies that can be guaranteed safe access, and that Canada provides some of it,” he added. “Canada has been notably silent when compared to the leadership shown by other nations in the world working for a peaceful resolution.”
“The attack on United Nations Relief workers and Red Cross personnel is completely unacceptable,” said Atamanenko.
“This is not a new situation between Israel and Palestine. This is happening in the context of an on-going UN-recognized decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestine, a 2 year blockade by Israel that has limited food and medical supplies, and an attack by Israel on Gaza last November 4th which severely broke the six-month ceasefire terms and escalated the conflict. Rockets launched by various groups from Gaza into Israel are unacceptable, but escalation occurred after the November Israeli attack.
“The Prime Minister must speak out in support of the UN Security Council’s resolution, including supporting an “immediate and durable” ceasefire. The citizens of this country want to see Canada take a role as a peacemaker and not remain silent during such conflicts,” added Atamanenko.
The recent attacks have reportedly killed over 750 Palestinians to date with over 3,000 injured. Ten Israelis have been killed in the conflict to date, including four soldiers from friendly fire, more than all Israelis killed last year from Gaza launched rockets or mortars.
Double shame on martin and webgear
Why I am getting a shame? I was providing a link on a statement by Mr Layton.
It at least has some action in it however not what I thought Jack should have stated. But it is a start compare to the initial statement.
It's certainly an improvement over Fidel's own "I think what Layton says is more in-line with responsibility to protect Gazans from the atrocities taking place today."
The letter from Mr. Castro is in the mail...
Why I am getting a shame? I was providing a link on a statement by Mr Layton.
It at least has some action in it however not what I thought Jack should have stated. But it is a start compare to the initial statement.
Because you emboldened only the part of what Jack said that satisfies your conservative point of view on the matter. You deliberately omitted the part where Jack says: The use of force in Gaza must cease and the part where Jack hints at just a little that our lap dogs for Crazy George II should do their effin jobs for a change.
Fidel
That was not my intent. I thought the bold areas are interesting points of discussion.
Over all I thought it was an interesting statement compared it the first statement.
Sorry then, I thought it was just another case of selective quoting.
If any NDPs or Liberals start blasting Harper about Gaza when they are back in front of the cameras, I hope everyone remembers this incredible dead silence from them when the children were dying.
Well said, martin: Shame. A white phosphorus pox on the nonexistent Canadian 'left' politicians.
If any NDPs or Liberals start blasting Harper about Gaza when they are back in front of the cameras, I hope everyone remembers this incredible dead silence from them when the children were dying.
And I wont forget Harper's dead silence on this either. He's going to be in the NDP's trolly tracks soon enough. As soon as Harper decides to show up for work!
No problem, you are forgiven. Give yourself 15 lashes and we can be friends again.
Yay. So the NDP are all about supporting Israeli apartheid, enforced by Canadian troops so Israeli troops don't get their hands dirty.
New Democrats believe that Canada must pursue a balanced approach to the Middle East crisis, in keeping with Canadians' deep desire for peace in the Middle East and are ready to work with the new administration in the U.S. towards a lasting peace in the region.
So Layton is not only on the Ignatieff team, he's now ready to hop aboard the Obomba/AIPAC train. I'm sure he'll feel right at home working with those nice USians to bring about a lasting peace in Palestine.
New Democrats believe that Canada must pursue a balanced approach to the Middle East crisis, in keeping with Canadians' deep desire for peace in the Middle East and are ready to work with the new administration in the U.S. towards a lasting peace in the region.
So Layton is not only on the Ignatieff team, he's now ready to hop aboard the Obomba/AIPAC train. I'm sure he'll feel right at home working with those nice USians to bring about a lasting peace in Palestine.
Layton knows that Israel is a US client state - a frontline state from the cold war era and now the colder war. And this is the reason Steve "I'm a vicious toady to Crazy George II and now the US-ISrael lobby" Harper is laying down for those guys right now. We're supposed to be a frigging G8 country, fcs. Layton knows where the influence lies, and it's not with Steve and the Harpers rolling over for our imperial masters at the moment. Steve Harper is not leadership material and has to go.
If any NDPs or Liberals start blasting Harper about Gaza when they are back in front of the cameras, I hope everyone remembers this incredible dead silence from them when the children were dying.
And I wont forget Harper's dead silence on this either. He's going to be in the NDP's trolly tracks soon enough. As soon as Harper decides to show up for work!
Fidel, I'll be generous and assume you missed my point.
Harper is useless. We know that. This thread is about "Where is the LEFT".
Do I need to repeat just how tasteless and revoltingly opportunist I think it would be for any NDP's or Liberals to start bleating at Harper in the House about Gaza, when they are right now so studiously dead silent in the media while the children are dying?
What about sicko political opportunism don't you get? 
I, too, think Harper is an embarrassment to this country and needs to step down. The sooner the better.
I am of course unable to amend the OP, so I will say here that the Engler article is also available at Rabble.
That's right, attack the fourth political party in Ottawa for the rightwing agenda and the overall democracy gap in this frozen Puerto Rico. Perfect. If the NDP are down with the Harper agenda, then why is the NDP trying to toss this scabbed together coalition of the right from power today?
People aren't blaming the NDP for government policies, we're blaming the NDP for a lack of principled opposition to these policies.
Engler makes an historical error when he refers to Tommy Douglas as "the head of the CCF" in 1975. By 1975, the CCF had become the NDP, and David Lewis had succeeded Douglas as leader. Douglas remained an MP, and it was in that capacity that he made his speech in 1975 to the Histadrut. The content of his remarks, however, is accurately reported by Engler.
I just got this statement from Libby Davies through Facebook:
I add my voice to the many thousands to speak out in condemnation at the on-going assault by Israel on Gaza. The latest attack on the UN Headquarters in Gaza, on the hospitals and medical centers is outrageous. The use of white phosphorus - a chemical weapon - against innocent civilians is also indefensible and must be condemned.
It must be recognized that the on-going illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and the now two year old blockade must cease, and is a root cause of the current conflict.
I have previously written to Prime Minister Harper calling on the Canadian government to do everything in its power to seek a diplomatic and political solution. Link to letter: http://libbydavies.ca/blog/2009/01/07/libbys-letter-prime-minister-gaza
Canada should join other international leaders in condemning this aggression, which is contrary to international law, and is, as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated yesterday, "indefensible".
I urge all Parliamentarians to speak out for an immediate ceasefire, for immediate humanitarian assistance, and an end to the blockade.
In May 2002 I was part of a Parliamentary delegation that visited the Occupied Territories. It was a life-changing experience as I witnessed the daily impact of checkpoints, restricted access, loss of human rights and dignity. We met with many Palestinians and Israelis who work together to end the Occupation and the illegal settlements.
What I learned during that visit was my responsibility as a Member of Parliament to speak out in defense of human rights and a just settlement for Palestinians. I am an active and founding member of the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Association and will continue to work within my party, within Parliament, and in the community on this issue.
Libby
A few resources:
http://rabble.ca/news/white-phosphorous-and-so-israeli-argument-goes
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1054578.html
http://www.icahd.org/eng/news.asp?menu=5&submenu=1&item=655
[quoting Engler:] In a particularly distasteful episode last year, the NDP opposed and then supported the Harper government when Canada was the first country to withdraw from the second UN Conference on Racism ("Durban II")[/b], much to the delight of the Israeli government, which was the second country to pull out (criticism of Zionism at Durban I was deemed "anti-semitic").
That's inaccurate too. First, Bill Siksay opposed Harper's move. Then, Paul Dewar and Wayne Marston issued a statement enthusiastically supporting Harper's move. Within a couple of days, this shameless statement was thankfully removed from the NDP website (after protests from many NDP members and activists, not least several from babble), although the link leading nowhere remained for some time. Then, about 4 months later (in May 2008), Marston wrote to Jason Kenney asking the Harper government to "reconsider" its boycott announcement - in other words, to reconsider what Marston himself had declared earlier!
There may have been other flipflops since then, but I haven't been keeping track.