There was a strong NDP presence at the rally (and these are communities that traditionally vote Liberal). After Warren Kinsella managed to obtain from some of the Liberal candidates statements unilaterally supporting Israel (kudos to Martha Hall Findlay for not falling into the trap) many people were angry at Joe Volpe. I remember Volpe coming to our mosque and issuing blunt statements that he was 'with us'. That kind of ethnical politics can backfire spectacularly, as he no doubt will find out. I don't have a problem with candidates such as Bob Rae supporting Israel. He has been very clear on this issue and we can disagree on some things, but what really irks me is when politicians try to play both sides and be hypocritical.
Sign saying 'bombing Canadians is NOT a measured response'.
What surprised me was the presence of a large number of Jewish protestors.
The NDP had a strong presence at the rally, here represented by MP Peggy Nash.
More Jewish protestors.
What's a Bantustan? But the map was interesting.
A Jewish rabbi and a Shite Imam speak. The placard to the left had an interesting drawing of a 'BBC' missile.
The vibrant (and angry) Lebanese community of Toronto were loudly present.
Some of the pictures were heart wrenching, especially those of babies bombed that the media won't carry.
(Photos courtesy: L.C.)
Tags: Canada Israel Protest
8 comments:
A 'Bantustan' is a region for blacks to live in aparteid South Africa. It is not equivalent to the occupied territories at all, but is very very very similar historically and politically to native 'Reserves' in Canada. The colonial history of South Africa and Canada is historically linked both becoming sovereign nations under the commonwealth in 1867. Canadian domestic policy towards natives and South African policy toward blacks was an exact mirror of each other until the I believe 1968 or 69 when South Africa developed the policy of seperation or "apartied" in Africans. This required blacks to remain in the bantustans and obtian 'passes' to work elsewhere, while all people of colour except Japanese, who were determined to be white, were required to carry identification cards. Inter-racial marriage was banned and blacks were disenfranchised. South Africa became more of a Fascistic Nazi-like regime with regards to blacks while Canada slowly but surely moved to give Natives more developmental economic and land rights, language rights, free access to higher education, financial damages etc. Much too slowly, but moving in the opposite direction as S.A.
Anyways, Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West bank is completely different. Requiring people who are not citzens of your country to have id to enter and have work permits is standard for any country. It's not aparteid.
Shoshana,
Thanks for the information.
I think its kind of sad that you would put a picture of a Israeli flag with a line across it with the caption "Judaism rejects... the state of Israel". If you dont even recognize Israel's right to exist you have no credibility.
Ex-NDP: You know my views regarding the current conflict, no use reiterating here that I think bombinb civilians and infrastructure and killing babies is not a 'measured response'.
Man. Lib: I am not rejecting the state of Israel. I am rejecting the indiscriminate bombing of civilians now - in this current conflict. That's two different things.
Kyle: The Judaism rejects Zionism was not a sign put forward by me but by some Jewish protestors. I thought the caption made it very clear. I am not promoting or discarding any signs, just reporting. Again, most of the protestors are marching against the killing going on in Lebanon that our PM calls a 'measured response' - not against the state of Israel's right to exist. Two very different issues.
Mez,
No offence, but the message on that board was pretty clear, and by putting it up on your blog you delegitimize the protest (not to mention yourself).
I think that before you can criticize Israel for being "indiscriminate" in its operations you need to simulataneously critcize Hamas and Hezbollah (which I have not seen you do). If Israel is "indiscriminate" in its actions, then those two groups show a wanton disregard for innocent civilians. Where is your criticism of them? Oh thats right! Just like the blindly pro-Israel wingnuts you focus on the crimes of your opponents and ignore those of your own. You do realize that your position is no better than Harper's right? Until you inject balance into your opinions you have no credibility.
My personal position is that Israel must be like a surgeon. I fully support its battle against Hamas and Hezbollah, but certainly wish it would be more careful about how it goes about it. It has every right to defend its civilian population against the barbarians that are Hamas and Hezbollah. That being said one Israeli life is of equal value to the life of someone from Palestine or Lebanon.
But lets not forget who provoked this latest outbreak of violence.
Hi Kyle,
I thank you for the respectful tone of your comments.
I don't think I need to publish any reports or comments about atrocities by anti-Israel forces, there are thousands of blogs publishing those and if anyone needs to they can read those and form their opinions. I have not seen too many blogs or mainstream media discussing the point of view from the civilian perspective, which is why I do so.
Moreover, I chose not to get involved in the conflict. However, Harper has chosen to get Canada involved in this, much to my charign, which is why most of my protests has been against Canada's blind support for one side. If it were upto me, we would go back to sitting on the fence. There's too much history of bloodshed here to just castigate one side.
And for the record, I do not have much knowledge of Judaism to know whether it would support Zionism or not. I just find it interesting that some Jews would hold that view.
And Kyle,
I have not shied away from criticizing religious extremists, whatever their badge, as can be seen here, here and here.
My views on the Israel-Palestine dispute generally: http://northernliberal.blogspot.com/2006/07/opinions-are-like-holes-everyones-got.html
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