The landscape of Israel advocacy in Canada - differing perspectives
B’nai Brith’s recent response to Canada’s Israel Advocacy Scene According to Israel Leibler.
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October 3rd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
[...] FRESHLY FRANKLY DIMANTLY speaking: “The landscape of Israel advocacy in Canada - differing perspectives” [...]
October 10th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
What does Ruth Klein say now that Liebler so deftly pointed out she completely misread his article?
Klein’s seeks to undermine Liebler’s views by suggesting he knows little of what pro-Israel advocacy does and what it has accomplished in Canada and she goes on to tout the achievements of B’Nai Brith as if Liebler attacked B’Nai Brith directly.
Well, if Liebler’s views suffer to any extent because he does not live in Canada, I do live in Canada, I am in touch with what is happening here and my assessment of the state of pro-Israel/Jewish advocacy are pretty much that of Liebler’s.
I have made those views known to B’Nai Brith, CJC, Hillel, and Can. Israel Committee and CIJA. The one thing in common amongst these organizations is that they are elitist bastions that do not even acknowledge my letters.
I concur that amongst this group, B’Nai Brith has been the most effective, but that leaves B’Nai Brith no time and no reason to rest on its laurels.
Alan Baker is right that pro-Israel advocacy is more then just holding fund drives and gala affairs to raise money for Israel.
Consider just the matter of the great strides pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel-antisemitic organizations have made on our campuses, here and in the States.
Five years or so ago, Netanyahu was prevented from speaking on campus. About 3 or 4 years ago, Ehud Barak was prevented from speaking on campus.
About 4 years ago, the U of T facilitated the event Israel-Aparthied Week, which reportedly turned into a hate fest. Since then the U of T has facilitated that event each year and that event has spread to many campuses in Canada and the States.
Anti-Israel views that even question the right of Israel to exist and some that have clearly crossed the line into antisemitism are now considered legitimate points for discussion and debate in campus classrooms and common areas.
We have witnessed an explosion of pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel and antisemitic sites on the internet.
We witness the growth of anti-Israel demonstrations and articles in campus newspapers.
Clearly pro-Israel/Jewish advocacy has not been up to the task of standing up to these pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel activists, advocates and propagandists and fighting back to undermine their racist and dishonest messages and turn public perceptions to treat such anti-Israel advocates with scorn and derision.
Add to that, there are a number of sectors in our Jewish community who seek to impress Canadians with their sense of fairness in being critical of Israel to suggest Israel is oppressing Palestinians, while speaking to various so called “legitimate Palestinian rights”, the legitimacy of which are either non-existent or at the very least very debateable.
These Jews only hurt Israel and their fellow Jews, for they are turned by the pro-Palestinian crowd into useful Jewish idiots in the cause of Palestinians against Israel and that includes Israel’s very existence.
Though pro-Israel/Jewish advocates have undeniably done good work, it is equally undeniable that all such advocacy organizations have been ineffective in a number of important respects and thus they need to be a less defensive in the face of criticism and more open to ideas on how to improve.
So long as our Jewish leadership continues with their heads in their elitist clouds, they will hold fast to their arrogant belief that as our Jewish community’s leaders, only they know what is best for the community, that their efforts are beyond criticism and it is only open for the Jewish community to appreciate the good work they have convinced themselves they do across the board.
Frank Dimant, you have in this blog addressed a number of concerns that Liebler, I and others have addressed.
You are without question a great and influential voice for the Jewish community.
As yourself why then are B’nai Brith, CJC, Hillel, Can. Israel Committee and CIJA not listening to you when you deign to be critical of these organizations?
Would you characterize these organizations as elitist for ignoring your criticisms and concerns as I have characterized them for ignoring me?
For once Frank, it would be useful to get some feedback from you instead of you pontificating, even usually brilliantly and expecting others to react to you!
September 9th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.