Harry Shannon
Here’s a letter I wrote to my member of Parliament, Filomena Tassi. I copied it to François-Philippe Champagne, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:
Dear Ms. Tassi,
Firstly, congratulations on your re-election, and your appointment as Minister of Labour.
My main reason for writing is that, as a Jew, I want to commend the Liberal government for supporting the United Nations’ resolution on the right of Palestinians to self-determination.
I know that the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has expressed its ‘deep disappointment’ that Canada voted this way. This is remarkably hypocritical. CIJA has promoted the idea that ‘[d]enying the Jewish people the right to self-determination’ is antisemitic. How then can they try to deny Palestinians the same right?!
(CIJA have promoted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s ‘Working Definition’ of antisemitism, which includes that idea. I should note that there are serious problems with your government’s adoption of that definition. It is deeply flawed, and I look forward to an opportunity to make my case.)
I urge you to respect the human rights of Palestinians, and condemn violence against all civilians in the conflict.