Just this past weekend the Jewish calendar marked the beginning of
the month of Elul – a time of reflection of actions and deeds of the year past
while leading up to the countdown of the Jewish New Year on September 13th. While the usual talk in the community this
time of year anchors around planning for the holidays, this year is different.
This is an election year and the community dialogue has changed. It
has descended into something I never dreamed I’d see here in Toronto, a Jewish community
traditionally anchored in the values of mutual respect. This year it’s turned
into an ugly argument of “us and them”. (Just to clearly define the outrageous
lines that have been drawn in the sand for those not in the loop: “Us” being
those who support the Conservatives and therefore unequivocally support Israel.
“Them” – those who either support Liberal or NDP politics and are being faulted
as being anti-Israel and in some cases its gone as vile as declaring those who
entertain an alternate political position as anti-Semitic or self-hating Jews.)
Huh?
I’ve had my fair share of watching my people at odds with themselves,
having witnessed the Gaza disengagement on the heels of moving back here from
Israel a decade ago this week. Nevertheless I always felt privileged to live in
not one, but two democracies where the value of maintaining strong multilateral
relationships is a key component of the political conversation.
Last time I checked I now live in a democracy where the Jewish community
is fortunate to have the ear and support for Israel from all of its major
parties. And last I knew the active and proud Jewish community of Canada is a
strong part of the fabric of political life here. Our community has shared values in supporting such principles as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a
robust immigration policy to create a diverse society, valuing peace, and
protecting these principles internationally. Woven into those core principles is a long-time
support of Israel and its shared values of democracy, peace and yes, security
too.
This week I was dismayed to have been the recipient of what is now a
viral and revolting email exchange that vilified Justin Trudeau as anti-Israel
and in some cases alluding to him being him a supporter of the Muslim-Canadian
community to the exclusion of others.
What’s even more disheartening is that now with the divide out in
the open the JDL seems to feel its justified in boycotting an event for Justin
Trudeau and Liberal York Centre riding candidate Michael Levitt at the private
home of a leading Jewish community family by making a public spectacle of
trying to shut it down at worst, or in the least making those who wish to
participate ill at ease.
So I feel the need to ask:
Why are members of my community trying to prevent those of us who
are interested from hearing how the Liberals continue to support our values?
Why isn’t the leadership of our community discouraging this kind of
behaviour?
Why isn’t our community taking the elections as an opportunity to
hear from all of the parties?
The supportive foreign policy of Canada regarding Israel hasn’t
changed for decades. It wasn’t invented during the Harper decade. Canada is and
continues to be Israel’s ally, it supports dialogue towards a resolution
towards peace and it views Israel’s right to defend itself as paramount in
defending its population and its values. That is true across the board for the
Liberals, the NDP and the Conservatives.
The Liberal party and Justin Trudeau have stood with Israel and the
Jewish community time and again. My local
Liberal candidate Michael Levitt has a long and active history of supporting
Israel in action and in deeds. But now they are being vilified but false messaging
and community bullying.
How did our values of supporting Israel through
multifaceted conversations with all of our community’s supporters and friends
get hijacked by a party of one?
While the Harper government is indeed vocal in its headlines and its
statements of support – it has seemingly made our community puppets to its
sound bytes. Its’ “Stand with Israel” page (closely
modelled after the right-of-centre leaning Stand With Us
campaign) essentially alludes that individuals who don’t stand with the
Conservatives do not stand with Israel. Does that mean if I stand with the
Liberal’s I’m less of a Zionist? Does that make me less of a Jew? How did the
Harper Conservative’s “Stand With Israel” campaign make me less committed to Israel?
And that is where I’m left looking at my community and asking: How
did this happen? When did our discernment and reaching out to all candidates to
promote and express our values go out the window? When did we allow the parties
to dictate our values for us? Why am I seeing colleagues and friends in the
community from Toronto to Vancouver being called anti-Semites and traitors and
being bullied for engaging in discussion on other viewpoints? Where is my
community leadership in promoting multilateralism and open exchange to meet
with all parties? Who is driving the discussion?
As I prepare to be part of my community in celebrating Rosh Hashanah
this year it will be laden with prayers not only for peace in Jerusalem, the
place that captured my heart as my home, but also a time of reflection of where
I stand as it seems that if I don't stand with a certain party, I don't belong.
