Liberal Justice Critic Dominic LeBlanc said that boycotts or divestment appeals that target Israel for singular condemnation and exclusion are unacceptable.
"The CUPE resolution is reprehensible because it singles out academics for discriminatory treatment because of their nationality," said Mr. LeBlanc. "This goes beyond reasonable criticism—we're seeing Israeli Jews demonized in a way that has absolutely no place in our public discourse."
"I'm greatly disappointed in CUPE Ontario's leadership for working to stifle the free exchange of ideas and opinions that should be at the centre not only of every university campus, but also of our national life as Canadians," Mr. LeBlanc said.
Mr. LeBlanc pointed to a disturbing trend on university campuses, in Canada and elsewhere, where Jewish students are too often made to feel intimidated or even physically threatened because they hold personal views in support of Israel.
"Our commitment to tolerance and openness at Canada's universities must be absolute," said Mr. LeBlanc. "Short-sighted proclamations like last weekend's CUPE resolution help undermine the safe campus environment that should be the right of every student."
Mr. LeBlanc also pointed to widespread academic collaboration between Canadian and Israeli scholars, which continues to benefit both countries.
"It is both foolish and reckless to undermine the relationship between Canadian and Israeli academic institutions with polemics," Mr. LeBlanc said.
Mr. LeBlanc expressed hopes that CUPE members would follow the example of the union's National President, Paul Moist, who has refused to support the resolution passed by the Ontario wing.
"The Liberal Party of Canada unequivocally condemns the CUPE Ontario resolution for the short-sighted intolerance it entails," Mr. LeBlanc said. "I hope that CUPE members across the country, and all Canadians, will do the same."
James Morton
3 comments:
The anger of the CUPE members is understandable -- I gather they are of Canadian background and the brutal murder of the innocent in Gaza is a scandal that properly haunts the world. But the response is not to say "no Jews" but rather to, perhaps, require that applicants support the Canadian value of respect for all (and refrain from murdering those they disapprove of)
Speaking of discrimination, Dr Dawk has a good post on discrimination and censorship named "Fear and loathing at Carleton University"
http://drdawgsblawg.blogspot.com/
Where was CUPE when missiles were falling on Israel,from the Lebanese and Palestine territories? Where was the outrage from CUPE on Iran,for threatening on many occasions the Israeli state. I haven't seen any outrage from them,have you?
They remind me a little bit of the U.N. When Israel is attacked we don't hear a sound from them except hot air! But hey when Israel defends himself,everyone goes into a panic. But I digress.
That begs the question, what is the Liberal position on Israel? Michael and the Liberals seem to have slunk into a corner and adopted "fuzzy as possible", as the method to avoid accountability.
Harper is a parasitic opportunist and more than half his rascist caucus gagged when he decided, "Yeh Israel; Boo Arabs", but...at least Canadians know where El Duce he stands.
Large number of Israeli's and prominent Jews worldwide are objecting to the IDF slaughter of innocents and making more noise in Canada than weak-knee, Liberals.
It is righteous to expect higher principles form our allies and Liberals sneaking away from the issue won't make the day of accounting go away.
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