The movement for Palestinian dignity won’t be stamped out, and it is finding a home among progressives. I am told that this story about the “growing tradition” of Israeli Apartheid Week was on the front page of the National Post in Canada today, the print version, a paper known for its support for Israel. This never would have happened even a year or so back, says my informant. It shows that the “delegitimization” issue, Israel’s negative image, is becoming an int’l brushfire. Also note the student leader’s swift response to Canadian politician Ignatieff in the rabble.ca piece below, and his deft deflection of the anti-Semitism charge… The Post first:
The Queen’s University campus in Kingston was consumed by controversy this week after an elected student representative used his office to accuse Israel of genocide, and claimed to speak for the entire student body.
In an essay on a left-wing news site, Queen’s rector Nick Day defended the growing Canadian university tradition of Israeli Apartheid Week in a response to Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff ‘s statement condemning the protests.
“I was elected to represent the approximately 20,000 students of Queen’s University,” Mr. Day wrote on Rabble.ca Wednesday.
“If ever I used the influence of my office and the power of my public voice, as you have, to insulate from criticism the perpetrator of mass-slaughter, I would have a very difficult time sleeping at night.”
This guy Nick Day is a smart cat. Here’s part of his post at rabble.ca:
The first paragraph of your statement states, “Israeli apartheid week… is a dangerous cocktail of ignorance and intolerance.” However, the critique of Israeli apartheid is informed by data, observation, scholarship, and UN resolutions and reports. Scholars, activists, international advocates, civil society leaders and UN officials have observed that the occupation, checkpoints, walls, relocations, and home demolitions committed by Israel in Palestine have created a system of racial separateness and dominance. Thus, they have applied the term “apartheid” because of its obvious and internationally recognized applicability. Therefore, it does not reflect ignorance. If you were ignorant of these facts, I understand why you made the mistake you did in your statement. Now that you know, please rescind your statement and issue an apology or retraction.
Why does your party believe that Israeli Apartheid Week reflects intolerance? Israeli Apartheid Week seeks to raise awareness about a system of separateness and dominance as well as its policies and violence. It is a critique of the policies and practices of a state, it is not a critique of Jewish people. When you equate it with “intolerance” you reflect the ignorant and anti-Semitic view that the State of Israel is the same entity as “Jewish people” or the global Jewish Diaspora. Of course, it is not. Israel is a state, Zionism is a political ideology/movement, and many Jewish people worldwide staunchly oppose the policies and practices of Israel
