By Ted Belman
Last night I attended an event hosted by the Conservative Party in Canada to report on its efforts to combat antisemitism.
Canada as you know was quick to condemn and pull out of Durban II. Israel followed suit.
Ian Carmichael, who is a Conservative nominee in a Toronto riding, reported on his attendance at the conference on Antisemitism in Jerusalem and also reported on Canada’s efforts to make a difference.
Apparently there is a movement afoot to get many more countries to withdraw.
So you can imagine how upset I was to return and read the Haaretz article AJC leader urges Israel to give ‘Durban 2′ conference a chance
The “Durban 2″ anti-racism conference can still be salvaged, despite recent decisions by Israel and Canada to boycott the gathering, according to David Harris, the executive director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
Visiting Israel as part of his organization’s Board Of Governors’ mission, Harris told Haaretz that “we can’t afford to declare ‘Durban 2′ lost without more focus on diplomacy, especially toward the European Union countries and others influenced by them.”
Nothing will save Durban 2. Only an organized boycott will make a dint.
The Harper government is well meaning in their intentions and plans to combat antisemitism, but it misses the mark.
The most important way, a government can fight the spread of antisemitism is to support Israel and its acts of self defense. Constantly make statements decrying those who demonize and delegitimate Israel in public forums and in the media and stop funding its NGO’s who do likewise.
Finally, verbally attack those who charge Israel with the use of excessive force and with causing “collateral damage”. Also the government should oppose any application of a double standard with respect to Israel.
No doubt this would involve swimming upstream in the international community. That’s what it takes, nothing less will succeed.
Ted Belman
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