Canada’s position of the the Arab-Israeli conflict does much harm and no good

What follows is a letter written by a Canadian MP, Rob Oliphant  and then a reply by Howard Bochner  another Canadian.

Then comes my response.

On Jun 12, 2018,  <Rob.Oliphant@parl.gc.ca> wrote:

Thank you for your email concerning the recent violence in Gaza. The continued conflict in that area is of constant concern to me as a member of Parliament, as a Canadian citizen and as a humanitarian.

Let me begin by saying that I fully support Israel and its right to safety, security and prosperity. It is a thriving democracy that respects diversity of opinion. Equally, I support the right of Palestinians to a homeland that has full status as an independent state and equally their right to safety, security and prosperity. The conflict which continues is a threat to both those goals.

As you know, our government has called for an  immediate and independent investigation into the most recent violence. The Prime Minister’s statement on the situation can be found  here.

This in no way is meant to assign blame; rather it is to ensure that all the facts come to light and that both parties find ways for an end to violence.

We are committed to the goal of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state, living side by side, in peace and security, with Israel.  We continue to support the building of conditions necessary for the parties to find a solution. Obviously, the moving of the American embassy presents challenges to the building of these conditions.  The United States is a sovereign country and can and will make decisions in what they fell are their best interests.  Their decisions, however, do not affect our foreign policy.

I have had six trips to Israel and Palestine over the past 30 years.  I have spent significant amounts of time in the region.  I feel it is possible to support both Israel and Palestine and will continue to try to offer constructive solutions to this difficult conflict. I have long believed that Canada can and should resume the role for which our nation gained worldwide recognition and respect: working as an honest broker for peace. Only a long-term solution supported by the vast majority of states in the world can guarantee sustained peace. A long term solution must be Canada’s goal.

Thank you again for writing me about this important issue.

Yours truly,

Rob Oliphant, M.P. Don Valley West

Howard Bochner

Dear Mr. Oliphant;

Your response to the situation on the Gaza border is waffling and unacceptable. Hamas cynically uses its own people as cannon fodder, deliberately throwing them in the way of danger- the idea being to antagonize the Israelis until injuries and deaths occur then advertising it to a sympathetic world press and sympathetic world leaders. Most of the dead are actually Hamas operatives as admitted by Hamas itself. Many “protesters” were filmed throwing or slingshotting rocks. Some armed with weapons came charging at the fence. The clear object was to harm Israeli soldiers, then once inside Israel to attack civilians or take them hostage. These “protesters” had been given maps and directions. Deliberate fire bombing by kites of Israeli agricultural settlements and nature reserves is still going on but not reported by the mainstream media.

Here are a few questions Mr. Oliphant:

When did the West become so enamoured with a ruthless dictatorship that hasn’t had an election since 2006? Why doesn’t the West concern itself with the abuse of Gazans by their own leaders? Why is Israel at fault since it vacated Gaza completely in 2005 leaving infrastructure, farms, schools, hospitals intact and has been on the receiving end of Hamas hatred and aggression in return? Most of what Israel left has been destroyed by Gazans themselves or as a result of Hamas initiated hostilities. Instead of building a civil society Hamas spends its time and foreign aid money firing thousands of rockets, building scores of tunnels and kidnaping Israelis. 100’s of millions of dollars given by the West directly and through UNRWA has been squandered by Hamas on themselves, tunnels and armaments but no accountability is demanded by the West. Just recently your government added an extra $10 million (in addition to the $25 million)to UNRWA.

You want Israel to do more? Israel sends convoys of aid every day to Gaza. It supplies electricity, medial supplies and takes injured Gazans to its hospitals. It warns the civilians of Gaza of impending military action and asks them to remove themselves from harm’s way. Who else does that?

The role of Canada as an “honest broker” is broken and a farce. Canada under the Liberals has taken the side of the Palestinians without just cause. This increases the likelihood of conflict. Since the Palestinians are not penalized for their aggression they take it as a sign of encouragement. As long as it pays them to continue there is no incentive for them to negotiate. Israel itself is not up for negotiation. That is what must be made clear. Until the idea of the destruction of Israel is given up they should receive NO indulgence from the West. Let’s stop kidding ourselves about “fairness, disproportionate force, unarmed civilians and poor defenceless Gazans”. This hoax needs to end. Canada can do so by stopping all funding to UNRWA and moving its Embassy to Jerusalem.

Ted Belman

Allow me, an ex-pat Canadian now living in Israel to enter the fray.

Howard does an excellent job in setting out some relvant facts regarding where the fault lies but there are so many other things Mr Oliphant wrote that must be questioned.

For instance, Oliphant writes

“Equally, I support the right of Palestinians to a homeland that has full status as an independent state and equally their right to safety, security and prosperity.”

Why equally? On what basis do they have a right to a homeland and particularly, one carved out of land given to Israel by both God and the United Nations? By stressing your support their right to “full status as an independent state” you are supporting there right to militarize and enter into agreements with Israel’s enemies. Really?

By “calling for an  immediate and independent investigation into the most recent violence” you and the Canadian government are choosing not only to not believe Israel, a supposed ally and friend and democracy, but your very own eyes. Do you really think this was a peaceful demonstration, or are you questioning Israel’s right to make its borders inviolable?  Or do you concede Israel this right but don’t trust Israel to be judicious when deciding how much force is necessary to do so? How insulting is that? By calling for an investigation you are suggesting that Israelis are murderers.

“This in no way is meant to assign blame; rather it is to ensure that all the facts come to light and that both parties find ways for an end to violence.”

What nonsense! You know that Hamas is responsible for the violence and that an investigation would embolden them to continue with their violence. Your investigation would be a reward for their violence. Why not just demand that they cease the violence and apply pressure on them to achieve that end?

You say you are committed to peace and a Palestinian state without for a moment considering whether these goals are incompatible. In fact, if you would have an investigation into whether the Palestinians want a state or the the end of the Jewish state, you will learn that the latter is the case.  How is this compatible with peace? Why should Israel cut out her heart to make your wishful thinking come true.

The only constructive suggestion is to suggest that the Palestinians emmigrate and give up their quest to destroy Israel. That would end the conflict.

Thank you for your time.