Mustafa Barghouti tour cancelled due to Harper govt. interference in visa issuance
March 19, 2010 - 11:15pm
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Just received this release from Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East:
Harper Government obstructs visit of Respected Palestinian Leader
Dr. Barghouti was scheduled to speak at three public events in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa on the topic: Palestinian political dynamics and the realities for Middle East Peace. Dr. Barghouti also had appointments with several prominent members of parliament schedule for Monday, March 22nd. The delays with Dr. Barghouti’s visa were brought to the attention of Foreign Affairs and Citizenship and Immigration as early as Wednesday March 17th, with Minister Cannon being directly advised of the situation. On Thursday, March 18th, the Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration advised the Bloc Quebecois critic Thierry St-Cyr that officials were aware of the urgency of the matter, but were still doing checks on Barghouti, and his host organization Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME.)
“This seems to be another example of the Harper government’s dislike for free speech,” declared Thomas Woodley, President of CJPME. “Dr. Barghouti has long advocated for a peaceful transition to a two-state solution in Israel-Palestine – his message should appeal to anyone with a sincere commitment to Middle East peace.” Dr. Barghouti’s record is without blemish: he is a physician and an independent Palestinian politician with a known commitment to non-violence. CJPME believes that the Harper government’s obstruction of Dr. Barghouti’s visa is part of a broader strategy to muzzle or obstruct any voice critical of the policies of the Israeli government.
In addition to his political credentials, Barghouti is also the co-founder of the Health, Development, Information and Policy Institute (1989), the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (1979), and the Palestinian National Initiative (2002), a reformist political movement positioning itself as a secular, democratic and non-violent alternative to Fatah and Hamas. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East often hosts speaking tours, and has been a consistent advocate for a just peace in the Middle East, basing all its positions on support for international law, equal expectations for all parties, and a belief that violence is not a solution.
Sorry, I guess I should have linked to the rabble staff blog report as well!
The Toronto Star reported on it this morning.
"The Harper government's obstruction of Dr. Barghouti's visa is part of a broader strategy to muzzle or obstruct any voice critical of the policies of the Israeli government," said his host organization, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, in announcing the cancellation of the tour.
Barghouti would not join in the criticism of the Harper government, but did note he was puzzled at the length of time it took to obtain the visa.
In the past, he said, he was issued visas to visit Canada within two to three days. In this case, he applied March 5."
Frank Dimant of B'nai Brith says that they didn't lobby the government on this one, according to the story.
Is it possible that B'nai Brith or CJC had nothing to do with this?
Is it possible that B'nai Brith or CJC had nothing to do with this?
Yeah, with all due respect, I think it's quite wrong to look for the hand of these self-styled Jewish organizations behind every government action concerning Israel.
The Harper government unconditionally supports the Israeli regime because their interests coincide, in geopolitical and imperial and economic terms. The Harper government suppresses criticism of Israel, calling it "anti-semitic", not out of any love for Jews (a hilarious notion if there ever was one), but for the very same reason of common interest, which of course they share with the U.S. as well.
There are those who blame the "lobby" for the radical pro-Israel policies of the U.S. (and Canada). I have great difficulty with that view. It implies that but for some well-financed pressure groups, the Bushes and Harpers and Obamas of this world would be playing fair with the Palestinian people and holding Israel to account. I don't believe that holds up to scrutiny.
So, when Frank Dimant denies lobbying to exclude or delay Barghouti, I see no reason to disbelieve him. Pro-Israel instincts have become so internalized within the Harper-Kenney gang that they no longer need reminders.
Barghouti filed his visa application two weeks ago. Apparently the government advises that one apply six weeks ahead of time. While I suspect that if a politician the government liked had applied late for a visa they would do cartwheels to expedite it - it is curious that two or three days was sufficient lead time for him to apply for a visa in the past but two weeks was insufficient this time.
I agree with unionist re: Frank Dimant. He is usually happy to claim responsibiltiy for having influence on the government, so I don't see any reason to doubt him here. I only raised that part of the article because I thought it was interesting that the Toronto Star including such a specific reference.
As for the visa application wait. For someone who has such a well-known public profile internationally, and who has travelled to Canada as freqently as Mustafa Barghouti has, I can't believe that there wasn't government interference. The fact that Opposition party member interventions didn't succeed in getting him a visa in a timely way, suggests to me that this went through the Minister's office.
Yes, the question of Canadian pro-Israel lobby influence here is moot.
Lobbying Harper's Government in such cases is unnecessary when the Government boasts of direct lines of communication to the Likud Government.
(One can also presume that unlike the high profile cases in the US when the lobby is involved government spying, such occurrences are unnecessary in Canada with the lock-step Harper Government.)
The voice of the pro-Israel lobby is most effective for cases where a loud chorus of high-profile public vilification is sought. In this case, keeping the whole sordid ambush as quiet as possible was obviously preferable.
Lobby pressure is unnecessary when the Harper Government would have direct access to any alerts and wishes from the Likud government about who is an "undesirable" entry candidate for Canada. It hardly matters whether these alerts are informal, direct calls to ministers, or through the now established lines of communications of the formal bilateral Canada-Israel "Public Security" Agreement which focuses, among other things, on sharing border intelligence:
1. To prioritize and manage cooperation in the following areas within the responsibility of the Ministries:
1. Border management and security, including biometric applications....
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080323-1-eng.aspx
Yeah, the Harpocrites are the Israel lobby in Canada.
I suppose the usual suspects, who make such a big deal about Concordia students stifling free speech when war criminals such as Netanyahu come to visit, will be up in arms over this one.