Kesher Talk

CJC v. CLC: The Canadian Jewish Congress is lambasting the Canadian Labour Congress for effectively calling Israel an apartheid state.

The statement was crafted by the executive of the Canadian Labour Congress. The group -- whose conference, attended by 3,000 delegates, began yesterday in Vancouver -- represents 2.5 million trade workers. The CLC resolution states: "The Palestinians have about the same rights, freedoms and power as Africans living in Bantustans and segregated Townships once had. Palestinians live in small towns and refugee camps completely cut off from each other and surrounded by Israeli soldiers. They are completely dependent on Israel for their jobs, water, energy, access to hospitals, imports and exports, etc."

"This is a specious comparison that diminishes the singularity of the experience of black South Africans," said Keith Landy, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, who is from South Africa.

"Apartheid South Africa was a clear racist oppression of a white minority over a black majority. This is a completely different situation. ... Israel is fighting the same war against terror that Canada and the rest of the Western world are fighting. The fact that it's closer to home for Israelis doesn't make Israel an apartheid state. ... This is a failure to recognize why Israel is in the territories, which is as a result of attempts by surrounding terrorists to obliterate it out of existence."

UPDATE: Thanks to Michael Gold for helping me update the link. The National Post has redone its website for the gazillionth time...

posted by Howard @ 6/11/2002 10:40:16 AM