B’nai Brith unequivocally condemns the NDP motion to be heard in the House of Commons on March 18th. The motion provides unrealistic recommendations to the Government of Canada on how to respond to the Israel-Hamas war.
B’nai Brith has sent a letter to all sitting MPs and has also coordinated a joint statement endorsed by a broad range of stakeholders from across the country condemning the motion.
Joint Statement Condemning NDP Motion on Israel
We, the undersigned strongly oppose the motion regarding the Israel-Hamas war recently introduced by the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the House of Commons.
It is unreasonable and immoral to demand an “immediate ceasefire” without having given Israel the opportunity to rectify the legitimate threats to the safety and security of its population. Forcing Israelis to return to the state of constant danger that existed before Oct. 7, 2023, is in fact contradictory to the establishment of lasting peace in the region, the stated impetus behind the motion. Providing Israel with the ability to vanquish all the terror factions presently jeopardizing its national security is the only logical way to ensure the future peaceful coexistence.
We share the NDP’s concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as the party’s hopes for an everlasting and just peace in the Middle East. But far from bringing us closer to that goal, adoption of the proposed motion would severely undermine the prospect of regional stability by obstructing Israel’s ability to neutralize the terrorist groups responsible for perpetuating the conflict.
We endorse wholeheartedly the statement of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper: “We must develop a roadmap that will lead to a Palestinian state, and Israel needs to contribute to that. But Israel should not be asked to go down that path as long as such ideologies are allowed to flourish on the Palestinian side.” All opposition to peaceful coexistence must be removed before any semblance of a two-state solution can take shape.
For all these reasons, we call on the NDP to reconsider its misguided position and urge all MPs to oppose the motion when voting takes place on March 18th.
Signed
Artur Wilczynski, Retired Canadian Ambassador
Alliance of Iranian-Canadians
Ardeshir Zarezadeh, JD
Betsy Kane, Lawyer
Cameron Bishop
Chad Rogers, Partner, Crestview Strategy
Clarke Cross
Council of Iranian Canadians
Cindy Switzer, LLB
Col (Ret’d) Michael Ward
Councillor Andee Shuster, District 8, City of Côte Saint-Luc
Councillor Gila Martow, Ward 5 Councillor for the City of Vaughan
Councillor James Pasternak, Toronto Ward 6
Councillor Mike Cohen, District 2, City of Côte Saint-Luc
Councillor Steven Erdelyi, District 4, City of Côte Saint-Luc
Dahlia Kurtz, Columnist, Radio Talk Show Host, Journalist
Daniel Stanton
Darryl Wolk
David Garson, LLB
David Matas, CM
Deputy Mayor Dida Berku, Deputy Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc
Dominic Cardy, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fredericton West-Hanwell, New Brunswick
Dr. Leonor Ward
Donna Holbrook
Elias Makos, Radio Host
Emma Cunningham, former Ontario NDP riding president
Felicia Posluns, State Building Corporation, Toronto
Georganne Burke, Sr VP, Pathway Group
Goldie Ghamari, Member of Provincial Parliament for Carleton
Greater Toronto Area Kurdish House
Hart Kaminker, Barrister and Solicitor
Hindu Forum Canada
Honourable Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan
Ian DaSilva
Indo Canadian Kashmir Forum (ICKF)
Jerry Grafstein, Former Canadian Senator
Joe Roberts, Managing Director of Winston Wilmont Public Affairs and Chair of Meretz Canada
Joseph Mancinelli
Joseph R. Young, LLB Professional Corporation
Karen Restoule, Vice President, Crestview Strategy
Karen Stintz, Former Toronto City Councillor
Lisa Macleod, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nepean-Carleton
Malcolm Mansfield, Wabana Capital
Marcel Wieder, President & Chief Advocate, Aurora Strategy Global
Mayor Jeremy Levi, Mayor of the Town of Hampstead
Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc
Michael Henschel
National House of Prayer
Nelly Zagdanski, Madison Group
Noah Zatzman, Principal, Aurora Strategy Global
Progressive Muslim Association Against Antisemitism
Rao Yendamuri – President of Hindu Forum
Raheel Raza, Director, Council of Muslims against Antisemitism
Reuven Brenner, Board of Governers, IEDM
Reza Banai, Chair of Justice 88
Richard Gotfried, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Fish Creek
Robert William “Bob” Runciman, Former Canadian Senator
Ryan Painter, former NDP Executive from British Columbia
Sabrina Maddeaux, Columnist
Samuel Lewkowicz
Sergio R. Karas, JD
Shermineh Esmati
Syed Sohail Raza, Council of Muslims Facing Tomorrow
Tahir Gora – President of Progressive Muslims
The Honourable James Moore, PC, Former Member of Parliament
The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, ECA, Former Premier of Alberta and Member of Parliament
The Honourable Jonathan Denis, ECA, KC, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary—Acadia
The Honourable Linda Frum, Former Canadian Senator
The Honourable Lisa Raitt PC, Former Canadian Member of Parliament
The Honourable Marlene Jennings PC, Former Canadian Member of Parliament
The Honourable Stockwell Day PC, Former Member of Parliament
Town of Hampstead
The Honourable Tyler Shandro, KC, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary—Acadia
Veronique Malka, Canadian Lawyer
Victoria Mancinelli
Vivienne Ziner, The Iceberg Initiative
W. Michael G. Osborne, Lawyer
Warren Kinsella, Former Special Assistant to Prime Minister Jean Chretien
Wladyslaw Lizon, Former Canadian Member of Parliament
letter to all sitting MPs
B’nai Brith condamne sans équivoque la motion du NPD qui sera entendue à la Chambre des communes le 18 mars et qui propose des recommandations irréalistes au gouvernement du Canada sur la manière de répondre à la guerre entre Israël et le Hamas.
B’nai Brith a envoyé une lettre à tous les députés et a également coordonné une déclaration commune approuvée par une large gamme de partenaires de partout au pays, condamnant la motion.
Déclaration commune condamnant la motion du NPD sur Israël
Nous, soussignés, nous opposons fermement à la motion concernant la guerre entre Israël et le Hamas récemment introduite par le Nouveau Parti Démocratique (NPD) à la Chambre des Communes.
Il est déraisonnable et immoral d’exiger un « cessez-le-feu immédiat » sans avoir donné à Israël la possibilité de remédier aux menaces légitimes qui pèsent sur la sécurité de sa population. Forcer les Israéliens à revenir à l’état de danger permanent qui existait avant le 7 octobre 2023 est en effet contradictoire avec l’établissement d’une paix durable dans la région, ce qui est l’objectif déclaré de la motion. Donner à Israël la capacité de vaincre toutes les factions terroristes qui compromettent actuellement sa sécurité nationale est le seul moyen logique d’assurer la coexistence pacifique future.
Nous partageons les préoccupations du NPD concernant la détérioration de la situation humanitaire à Gaza, ainsi que les souhaits du parti néo-démocrate pour une paix juste et durable au Moyen-Orient. Au lieu de nous rapprocher de cet objectif, l’adoption de la motion proposée compromettrait gravement les perspectives de stabilité régionale en entravant la capacité d’Israël à neutraliser les groupes terroristes responsables de la perpétuation du conflit.
Nous approuvons pleinement la déclaration de l’ancien Premier ministre Stephen Harper : « Nous devons élaborer une feuille de route qui conduira à un État palestinien, et Israël doit y contribuer. Mais il ne faut pas demander à Israël de s’engager dans cette voie tant que de telles idéologies sont autorisées à prospérer du côté palestinien ». Toute opposition à la coexistence pacifique doit être éliminée avant qu’un semblant de solution à deux États puisse prendre forme.
Pour toutes ces raisons, nous demandons au NPD de reconsidérer sa position malavisée et incitons tous les députés à s’opposer à la motion lors du vote du 18 mars.
Signé par
Artur Wilczynski, Retired Canadian Ambassador
Alliance of Iranian-Canadians
Ardeshir Zarezadeh, JD
Betsy Kane, Lawyer
Cameron Bishop
Chad Rogers, Partner, Crestview Strategy
Clarke Cross
Council of Iranian Canadians
Cindy Switzer, LLB
Col (Ret’d) Michael Ward
Councillor Andee Shuster, District 8, City of Côte Saint-Luc
Councillor Gila Martow, Ward 5 Councillor for the City of Vaughan
Councillor James Pasternak, Toronto Ward 6
Councillor Mike Cohen, District 2, City of Côte Saint-Luc
Councillor Steven Erdelyi, District 4, City of Côte Saint-Luc
Dahlia Kurtz, Columnist, Radio Talk Show Host, Journalist
Daniel Stanton
Darryl Wolk
David Garson, LLB
David Matas, CM
Deputy Mayor Dida Berku, Deputy Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc
Dominic Cardy, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fredericton West-Hanwell, New Brunswick
Dr. Leonor Ward
Donna Holbrook
Elias Makos, Radio Host
Emma Cunningham, former Ontario NDP riding president
Felicia Posluns, State Building Corporation, Toronto
Georganne Burke, Sr VP, Pathway Group
Goldie Ghamari, Member of Provincial Parliament for Carleton
Greater Toronto Area Kurdish House
Hart Kaminker, Barrister and Solicitor
Hindu Forum Canada
Honourable Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan
Ian DaSilva
Indo Canadian Kashmir Forum (ICKF)
Jerry Grafstein, Former Canadian Senator
Joe Roberts, Managing Director of Winston Wilmont Public Affairs and Chair of Meretz Canada
Joseph Mancinelli
Joseph R. Young, LLB Professional Corporation
Karen Restoule, Vice President, Crestview Strategy
Karen Stintz, Former Toronto City Councillor
Lisa Macleod, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nepean-Carleton
Malcolm Mansfield, Wabana Capital
Marcel Wieder, President & Chief Advocate, Aurora Strategy Global
Mayor Jeremy Levi, Mayor of the Town of Hampstead
Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc
Michael Henschel
National House of Prayer
Nelly Zagdanski, Madison Group
Noah Zatzman, Principal, Aurora Strategy Global
Progressive Muslim Association Against Antisemitism
Rao Yendamuri – President of Hindu Forum
Raheel Raza, Director, Council of Muslims against Antisemitism
Reuven Brenner, Board of Governers, IEDM
Reza Banai, Chair of Justice 88
Richard Gotfried, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Fish Creek
Robert William “Bob” Runciman, Former Canadian Senator
Ryan Painter, former NDP Executive from British Columbia
Sabrina Maddeaux, Columnist
Samuel Lewkowicz
Sergio R. Karas, JD
Shermineh Esmati
Syed Sohail Raza, Council of Muslims Facing Tomorrow
Tahir Gora – President of Progressive Muslims
The Honourable James Moore, PC, Former Member of Parliament
The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, ECA, Former Premier of Alberta and Member of Parliament
The Honourable Jonathan Denis, ECA, KC, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary—Acadia
The Honourable Linda Frum, Former Canadian Senator
The Honourable Lisa Raitt PC, Former Canadian Member of Parliament
The Honourable Marlene Jennings PC, Former Canadian Member of Parliament
The Honourable Stockwell Day PC, Former Member of Parliament
Town of Hampstead
The Honourable Tyler Shandro, KC, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary—Acadia
Veronique Malka, Canadian Lawyer
Victoria Mancinelli
Vivienne Ziner, The Iceberg Initiative
W. Michael G. Osborne, Lawyer
Warren Kinsella, Former Special Assistant to Prime Minister Jean Chretien
Wladyslaw Lizon, Former Canadian Member of Parliament