Quote:
Originally Posted by blankall
The first article is about Canada sending delegates to a conference on anti-semitism. A quote from Canada's representative:
"One can criticize Israeli policies without being anti-Semitic."
The second article is an opinion piece from the CAF, which was a reply to an earlier opinion piece criticising their own organization.
In what way do these reflect a "curtailing" of freedom of speech by the conservative government?
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Even though it was mentioned in the very first paragraph, the Tories are threatening to cut the funding of the CAF because of comments critical of the Government and of Israel. Perhaps this makes it easier for you. Sorry for assuming people might actually try and stay familiar with the issues.
http://www.dialoguewithdiversity.com...ters&Itemid=69
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Conservative government has gone further than any previous Canadian administration in uncritically supporting illegal and brutal Israeli assaults on Palestinian and Lebanese people. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other prominent ministers have pledged complete allegiance with Israel and with Canadian organizations like the Canadian Jewish Congress and CIJA which uncritically support Israel. These Israel Lobby groups characterize any criticism of Israel as "anti-Semitism."
Anti-Semitism refers to hostility and/or prejudice against Jews. Like any other government, Israel has obligations under international law. To responsibly raise critical concerns about the discriminatory, illegal, and brutal policies of another government is an ethical imperative, which our own government should support. To label responsible critics of Israel policy "anti-Semitic" is a dishonest smoke-screen intended to discredit the critics.
As Jews, we affirm that criticizing Israeli policies is NOT anti-Semitic. More and more Jews world-wide, as well as in Israel openly oppose oppressive Israeli policies, and they also denounce this irresponsible use of the label "anti-Semitic."
The issue here is not whether CAF is anti-Semitic, which it certainly is not. We respect Khaled Mouammar as a man of principle and courage, who has consistently put himself and CAF on the line to support Jews. We believe that your government is threatening CAF's funding because it stands for justice for Palestinian people and because it expresses principled criticism of Israeli policies which oppress Canadian Arabs and their Palestinian friends and family. As Jews, Independent Jewish Voices frequently works in solidarity with CAF in these activities.
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You may disagree but if the government is only going to fund the individuals that agree with them ....
(But that's Harper's MO isn't it?)