Letter from IJV to Senator Ruth
July 5, 2012
Dear Senator Ruth,
Senator Jim Munson has indicated that he would be willing to meet with those in Independent Jewish Voices to explain why we support the recommendations of the United Church of Canada's Working Group on Israel/Palestine Policy. I and other members of IJV would be glad to meet with you and other Senators who signed the letter to Mardi Tindal.
The contents of the letter you sent to the United Church suggest that you have been influenced by the Council on Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA). As we explain in the attached "IJV Response to UCC Working Group on Israel-Palestine Report" the CIJA analysis is deeply flawed and self-serving. CIJA does not represent the majority of Canadian Jews. Rather it is a highly partisan political lobby organization which uncritically supports policies of the Israeli government which have been ruled illegal by the World Court and which are contrary to Canadian Foreign policy such as the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestine, expanding settlements on that land, the separation barrier, and its refusal to negotiate about the rights of Palestinian refugees. It is clear to us, as Jews, that Israel holds and abuses its overwhelming power in a way deeply inconsistent with Jewish values and human rights.
At the urgent request of Christian Palestinians, the United Church Working Group on Israel-Palestine Policy calls for non-violent action as the only effective way it can press Israel to finally redress these decades-long wrongs. As Jews, we support the report of the Working Group and we find that CIJA's criticisms are without merit.I invite you to read our response (attached) which explains our ethical position in more detail.
I respect you as a woman of principle, and I believe that you would not knowingly allow yourself and your political position to be manipulated by CIJA. I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you and other Senators who signed the letter, if possible, to listen to your concerns and questions and to offer an alternative perspective.
Sincerely,
Diana Ralph
Assistant Coordinator
Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Dear Senator Ruth,
Senator Jim Munson has indicated that he would be willing to meet with those in Independent Jewish Voices to explain why we support the recommendations of the United Church of Canada's Working Group on Israel/Palestine Policy. I and other members of IJV would be glad to meet with you and other Senators who signed the letter to Mardi Tindal.
The contents of the letter you sent to the United Church suggest that you have been influenced by the Council on Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA). As we explain in the attached "IJV Response to UCC Working Group on Israel-Palestine Report" the CIJA analysis is deeply flawed and self-serving. CIJA does not represent the majority of Canadian Jews. Rather it is a highly partisan political lobby organization which uncritically supports policies of the Israeli government which have been ruled illegal by the World Court and which are contrary to Canadian Foreign policy such as the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestine, expanding settlements on that land, the separation barrier, and its refusal to negotiate about the rights of Palestinian refugees. It is clear to us, as Jews, that Israel holds and abuses its overwhelming power in a way deeply inconsistent with Jewish values and human rights.
At the urgent request of Christian Palestinians, the United Church Working Group on Israel-Palestine Policy calls for non-violent action as the only effective way it can press Israel to finally redress these decades-long wrongs. As Jews, we support the report of the Working Group and we find that CIJA's criticisms are without merit.I invite you to read our response (attached) which explains our ethical position in more detail.
I respect you as a woman of principle, and I believe that you would not knowingly allow yourself and your political position to be manipulated by CIJA. I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you and other Senators who signed the letter, if possible, to listen to your concerns and questions and to offer an alternative perspective.
Sincerely,
Diana Ralph
Assistant Coordinator
Independent Jewish Voices Canada