Ontario MPPs - including NDP - condemn Israeli Apartheid Week in Legislature

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Fri, 2010-02-26 16:21

Michelle

Stockholm's post is a perfect illustration of the kind of smear that the ONDP has participated in by endorsing this Conservative motion which describes IAW as "hate speech". He compares Israeli Apartheid week organizers to Fred Phelps and the God Hates Fags gang.

So, just to be clear, Stockholm is saying that all of these organizations - all supporters of IAW - are somehow on a par with Fred Phelps because they use the term Israeli Apartheid:

Canadian Arab Federation * Palestine Community Centre * Not In Our Name: Jewish Voices Opposing Zionism * Independent Jewish Voices * Educators for Peace and Justice * Socialist Action * Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid * Queers Against Israeli Apartheid * Labour For Palestine * Faculty For Palestine * No One Is Illegal * International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network - Toronto * CAW Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice * Salaam, Queer Muslim Communities * CUPE Local 3907 * Ryerson Students' Union * Equity Studies Students' Union * Caribbean Studies Students' Union * Health Studies Students' Union * Agitate! Queer People of Color * The Centre for Women and Trans People at UofT * Barrio Nuevo * Young Communist League * Resistance Art * Ontario Public Interest Research Group - UofT * Ontario Public Interest Research Group - York * Fair Trade Coalition * York University Free Press * Upping The Anti * Toronto Coalition to Stop the War * Science for Peace * Venezuela We Are With You Coalition (CVEC) * Communist Party of Canada * Socialist Project * Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation (NECEF) * Toronto New Socialists * Canadian Muslim Union * Canada Palestine Association * International Socialists * Holy Land Awareness and Action Task Group of SW Presbytery in Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada * Toronto Coalition to Stop the War * No More Silence * Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance * International Socialists * Socialist Voice * Toronto Haiti Action Committee * BASICS Free Community Newsletter * Tyendinaga Support Committee * Student Christian Movement - UofT

These are the people that Stockholm is accusing of sounding like Fred Phelps. These are the groups that the ONDP is standing with the Conservatives to condemn as promotors of "hate speech" because they are involved with and endorse Israeli Apartheid Week.

Very nice.

Fri, 2010-02-26 16:25

#103

Frustrated Mess Frustrated Mess's picture

Par for the course.

Fri, 2010-02-26 16:32

#104

Stockholm

I'm not accusing any of those people of being "like Fred Phelps" - but I think that the Israeli embassy is jubilant every time they get such easy targets to attack. I think virtually all of those people and organizations are well-meaning good-hearted people who simply don't realize how their obsession with "words" is only making it easier for the current Israeli government to have its way.

If things are going to change in Israel/Palestine - there are going to have to be alliances created with dissident elements within Israel and there will have to be more and more criticism of Israeli policies sprouting in mainstream Jewish diaspora circles. When you start using incendiary language all it does is end any possible dialogue and cause a backlash among the very people who have to be swayed.

Fri, 2010-02-26 16:33

#105

Michelle

What makes you think the IAW people haven't made alliances with dissident elements within Israel? I know lots of people who support Israeli Apartheid Week, and who have been on educational trips to Israel where they met with dissident groups (Jewish and Arab) in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Do you know anything about Palestinian rights activism at all?

Fri, 2010-02-26 16:41

#106

remind

Okay.....let's all take a pledge to vote for the progressive and caring for regular people Liberal Party..... :rolleyes:

IMV Ontarioario is in majority full of %$^&*^##^%%@ who do not know their ass from a hole in the ground, and who are voting either CONservative because they are religious idiots who are so brainwashed that they do not know lies from truth, or are greedy sociopaths voting either Liberal or CONservative, depending on which one can get in and fill their pockets up. And yes I am looking at you CBC media people too.

The people who remain outside this framework do not have a chance and neither does the rest of Canada given the plethora of people in the province dictating to the rest.

... bah this thread is typical status quo posturing....and not much more.

Fri, 2010-02-26 16:42

#107

Andrew Brett Andrew Brett's picture

Quote:

OPEN LETTER from Andrea Horwath

Dear friend,

New Democrats are committed to working with partners for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine, within a framework of respect for UN resolutions and international law.

This means recognition of the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with negotiated, agreed-upon borders; no settlements remaining in the Palestinian state; an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land; an end to loss of life of innocent civilians; and an international peacekeeping presence.

On Thursday, MPP Peter Shurman (Thornhill) introduced a private member’s motion that was divisive by nature. Singling out activists or shutting down debate, on this or any other matter, is not constructive and is entirely unhelpful.

Ontario’s New Democrats believe in finding avenues towards a peaceful solution in the Middle East. MPP Peter Shurman’s motion did not contribute to that in any way.

Sincerely,

Andrea Horwath

Leader, Ontario’s New Democrats

Fri, 2010-02-26 16:43

#108

aka Mycroft

I think the NDP's been getting some heat today:

Quote:

OPEN LETTER from Andrea Horwath

Dear friend,

New Democrats are committed to working with partners for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine, within a framework of respect for UN resolutions and international law. This means recognition of the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with negotiated, agreed-upon borders; no settlements remaining in the Palestinian state; an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land; an end to loss of life of innocent civilians; and an international peacekeeping presence.

On Thursday, MPP Peter Shurman (Thornhill) introduced a private member’s motion that was divisive by nature. Singling out activists or shutting down debate, on this or any other matter, is not constructive and is entirely unhelpful. Ontario’s New Democrats believe in finding avenues towards a peaceful solution in the Middle East. MPP Peter Shurman’s motion did not contribute to that in any way.

Sincerely,
Andrea Horwath
Leader,
Ontario’s New Democrats

Fri, 2010-02-26 16:46

#109

oldgoat

closing for length,..continuing here.

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