BDS, May and Israel’s occupation
Re May shouldn’t run away from boycott, Opinion Aug. 22 Thanks for publishing Linda McQuaig’s powerful piece. As a Jewish-Canadian, I am deeply concerned about our collective failure to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes, human rights violations and ongoing military occupation of Palestine. Support for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) is not only growing among campuses, church and union groups, it is also increasing in our Jewish communities.
Why have we been silent? Why have we not understood that it is not anti-Semitic to criticize Israel. It is, in fact, pro-human rights and using the collective wisdom of our peoples’ histories of being persecuted. Tragically, we know the impact of global silence in the face of state terror.
Those of us who care deeply about Palestinian human rights were thrilled to see the Green party take a courageous stand in support of BDS. I am hopeful that Elizabeth May will support this position. It is not radical. It is simply taking a very obvious, peaceful stance against violence. Unfortunately, those who publicly criticize Israel (including journalists and Jews) are subject to violent threats and accusations of anti-Semitism.
Thanks to the Star for printing this. Although you will likely receive pushback from pro-Israel folks, please know you that you are giving voice to a position supported by many of us. Alisa Gayle, Toronto
“BDS is not a terrorist group. It is fighting to expose Israel for what it is — an occupier.” FRANN NASER THORNHILL
The problem with Ms. McQuaig and her fellow travellers’ support of BDS is that it singles out Israel, not just in the region but amongst the nations of the world, and does nothing to move along the peace process. To say that the solution to the 100-year conflict lies solely on one side can only be rationalized by someone wearing blinders. Ms. May’s thoughtful rejection of supporting this movement should be praised. Ms. McQuaig is the one to be admonished for her stance. Morris Sosnovitch, Toronto The suggestion that the BDS movement is anti-Semitic is rooted in a narrative created by those who support the 49year-long illegal occupation of Palestine. The ongoing violations by Israel of international human rights and humanitarian laws, the Fourth Geneva Convention and UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions are why the majority of Green party members and others support BDS.
The desperate situation in Palestine has been thoroughly documented by reputable human rights agencies such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Defence for Children International. This year, Israel has significantly reduced the water supply to Palestinians. In addition, in comparison to 2015, the Israelis have increased the rates of arrests of Palestinian children and youth and increased their destruction of Palestinian homes leaving Palestinian children homeless.
Those in the media have the responsibility to read the evidence regarding the situation in Palestine compiled by internationally credible non-governmental agencies before they accuse the BDS movement of anti-Semitism. Rev. Steve Berube, co-chair, United Network for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel I agree with Linda McQuaig. Elizabeth May should not only stay but work as hard as ever so that her party does not become the hijacked home base of the anti-Israel bashing club that singularly focuses on Israel and excludes all others.
The solidarity with Palestine is all well and fine except that there is only silence for the people of Sudan and Syria who we see slaughtered daily on a scale that is horrific and cruel.
The military occupation over Palestinian lands will end when there is trust and a true commitment in place to build peace based on a two-state solution by both sides. Peace will never flow by punishing and demonizing one side in a complicated, two-sided conflict. Elizabeth May needs to stay to fight for the soul of her party. She needs to ensure that the Green party remains committed to real principles and not false narratives. Martin Gladstone, Toronto Calling BDS anti-Semitic is a smokescreen to hide the truth about the oppression of Palestinians by the Israeli state. It is time to call the bluff on this strategy. I urge Elizabeth May to stand boldly on this issue as well, as she has on many other matters. Juergen Rose, Langley, B.C. BDS is not a “peaceful way to protest” Israel’s perceived misteps — it is an odious attempt to delegitimize the State of Israel. Palestinians live under Israeli occupation because Jordan refused to stay out of the Six Day War, forcing Israel’s hand to take the West Bank from Jordanian occupation. David E. Bronfman, Toronto Thanks for the excellent article about Elizabeth May and the BDS movement. The article was balanced, very wellinformed and thought provoking. As a supporter of BDS, I look forward to seeing more such articles in the Star. Martin Goldstein, Ottawa It is reprehensible for Linda McQuaig to call for a boycott of Israel. There is an organized alliance of nations and groups that has never and will never accept the right of Israel to exist. Anti-Semitism exists and this movement provides cover for those who hold this opinion. Jay Kowal, Toronto This article explained that BDS is commensurate with Canadian foreign policy and is a progressive stand that should not deter May from continuing as Green party leader despite her opposition to it. BDS may prove as effective as boycotts of South Africa were. Nyla Matuk, Toronto The Star has stooped to a new low. This article exposes your proclivity to show your anti-Israel bias. To defend the BDS movement is exactly the same as calling for the destruction of the State of Israel, the only country of almost 200 in the world that is censured for destruction. Marek Machtinger, Thornhill Linda McQuaig is the first journalist to explain exactly what BDS means and why it is important to use it as a tool to stop the Israeli state from stealing more land from the Palestinians. Ms. May should not step down as party leader and instead should take a leadership role in pressuring the Canadian government to not penalize companies that support BDS. It is time for someone to stand up in Parliament and take a moral stand to pressure Israel to stop its colonizing of Palestine. Journalists like her can turn the tide of public opinion. Sandra Shatilla, Montreal Elizabeth May “is” the Green party, and the issue is a grave one: no leader should back down when such issues as apartheid and other ongoing breaches of international law, the law of war and human rights laws are discussed. Canada should take a strong position in defence of the Palestinian people, to end Israel’s occupation/colonization that has lasted far too long. Laura Westra, professor emerita (philosophy), University of Windsor Why is the Green party wading into world politics? I thought its focus was the environment. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not necessarily the greatest moral morass of our world, which is why Jews cannot help but suspect anti-Semitism when Israel is singled out. The biggest problem I have with BDS is the blinkered approach to an incredibly complex situation. I support May’s outrage at her party’s decision and hope she can turn the ship from its disingenuous, divisive course. Dena Bain Taylor, associate professor, University of Toronto BDS is not a terrorist group. It is fighting to expose Israel for what it is — an occupier. The potential loss of votes that comes from supporting BDS pales in comparison to the loss of her values. I congratulate McQuaig for her courage and honesty. Frann Naser, Thornhill McQuaig’s comparison of Israel to apartheid South Africa is odious and typical of the justification used to support BDS. Quoting Bishop Tutu that Israel practises racial segregation hardly makes it true. It is time to end the malicious lies about Israel and for the Green party to reverse its support of BDS. Greg Tugg, Toronto We should all be behind BDS, not just the Greens. Sally Campbell, Hornby Island, B.C. BDS is not “controversial” because of its principles — all founded in international law. It is “controversial” because some people don’t like it. But, as Ms. McQuaig points out, such is the nature of all social justice movements. Thomas Woodley, Montreal It is the injustice of Israeli occupation that is the mainspring of Palestinian terrorism (a strategy doomed to failure). Remove it and I daresay terrorism will be significantly reduced. Michael Holme, Newmarket Martin Buber, the late Israeli sage, said only honesty and justice towards the Palestinians will bring real peace to the region. So a firm attitude toward the Israeli right-wing, and bringing pressure to bear on Israel regarding the implementation of international law is a step in the right direction. In fact such moves toward a two-state solution are very pro-Israel. Gregory Phillips, Toronto