Randall Garrison is refusing to heeda call from 200 well-known musicians, academics, trade unionists and NDP members to withdraw from the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (CIIG). To justify his pro-Israel campaigning the Victoria MP has cited that country’s relatively gay friendly policies even as he promotes a bastion of Canadian homophobia. Garrison is vice-chair of a group... Continue Reading →
When Israel backers claim to be anti-racist, one needs to ask questions
What to call someone who claims to oppose racism, except for that directed against Palestinians? Judge someone by what they have done and continue to do. Consider the source. These thoughts ran through my mind as I struggled to write about Bernie Farber’s standing among some Left/liberals. After Israel recently solidified its apartheid regime, a... Continue Reading →
Canadian and Israeli colonialism versus First Nations
Ironic: Interesting, strange or funny because of being very different from what you would usually expect. By allowing the Haudenosaunee to travel to Israel for the World Lacrosse Championships on their own passports Canada undermined its colonial authority. But, Ottawa did so at the behest of those promoting the most aggressive ongoing European settler colonialism.... Continue Reading →
NDP MPs must stop being ‘friends’ with Israel
Is it appropriate for NDP Members of Parliament to be working for “greater friendship” with a country that is killing and maiming thousands of non-violent protestors? Would it have been appropriate for any elected member of the party to be a “friend” with South Africa’s government during the apartheid era? Victoria area MPs Randall Garrison... Continue Reading →
Hey Montréal police, respect our right to protest
The Montréal police have a problem with democracy that the new progressive city council should address. Last Thursday I was arrested for shouting “shame; free Palestine” at the large annual pro-Israel demonstration. Three officers on bikes blocked me from walking on the sidewalk of Boulevard René Lévesque and yelling “shame, free Palestine” at people with... Continue Reading →
Convention provokes rage against NDP machine
They came, mostly young people, to fight for justice. They came to support the rule of international law, to help solve a longstanding injustice through non-violent means; they came to tell an oppressed people you have not been forgotten; they came to do what is right for a left wing political party; they came to... Continue Reading →
When siding with Israel supports Trump, Canada abstains
Thank you President Donald Trump and US UN Ambassador Nikki Haley for helping end the Trudeau government’s ‘Israel no matter what’ voting pattern. On Thursday Canada actually abstained on a UN General Assembly resolution, which “affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy... Continue Reading →
Who do you trust when it comes to NDP leadership candidates?
Like bears attracted to spawning salmon, politicians seek out power. The former needs to build stores of fat to survive the winter, while the latter must attract the resources and support necessary for successful electoral campaigns. Given the survival imperative, neither bear nor politician should be criticized too harshly for what comes naturally. But, the... Continue Reading →
Trudeau confuses anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism
Canada’s Prime Minister would like us to believe that the ideology that shaped Israel is designed to fight anti-Jewish prejudice. But, even when anti-Semitism was a significant political force in Canada, Zionism largely represented a chauvinistic, colonialist way of thinking. On Israel Independence Day earlier this month Justin Trudeau delivered a speech by video to... Continue Reading →
Conservative hopefuls in pro-Israel circus, but real action is in NDP race
The Conservative party leadership campaign has unleashed pro-Israel quackery, but it is the NDP race that could have greater impact on Canada’s Palestine policy. Aping Donald Trump, former Conservative minister Kellie Leitch recently asked her Twitter followers to “join me in calling on the Government of Canada to immediately move our embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.”... Continue Reading →
Strange bedfellows at ‘anti-racism’ forum
Why would one of Toronto’s leading anti-racist writers share a stage with three individuals who support an explicitly racist institution? Recently radio host and Toronto Star columnist Desmond Cole spoke at a forum put on by the Mosaic Institute titled “Canada in a Trump World”. It was about “increased racist and xenophobic attacks” and offered a “dialogue for communities... Continue Reading →
You must be logged in to post a comment.