Responding to “Singling Out Israel” Arguments March, 2018

Part 1: Israel is being singled out – for favouritism Q&A Part 1: Israel is being singled out – for favouritism

Brief Introduction As a supposedly strategic ally of the Western world, the West consistently turns a blind eye to Israel’s human rights violations and violations of international law, by buying into Israel’s “right to self-defense” and other arguments Israel also receives financial and military aid, with the United States being the most important contributor. Israel is also offered privileged trade and economic benefits. Canada, especially under Harper, has also immunized Israel from criticism, both at home and on the international scene. The Trudeau government has continued policies and practices of the Harper government to support Israel.

The West Singles Out Israel All the Time… Canada and other Western countries repeatedly mention “strong friendship” “unbreakable ties” and “shared values” when talking about Israel. Really? Despite its flagrant violations of international law, Israel has been rewarded, as the number one recipient of US foreign aid since the end of WW2 While the US has fervently condemned nuclear development in Iran and North Korea, the West has turned a blind eye to Israel’s nuclear program despite their similar poor human rights record The West continues to engage in arms sales with Israel

US Shields Israel from criticism by the UN Security Council Since 1948, the year of the Nakba and the foundation of Israel, the United States has used its veto on the United Nations Security Council dozens of times to block resolutions criticizing Israel’s violations of international law. Examples include: In 1975, the United States vetoed UNSC Draft Resolution 11898 condemning Israel’s massive airstrikes in Lebanon In 1995, the United States vetoed UNSC Resolution 394 invalidating Israeli expropriation orders of land in East Jerusalem In 2011, the United States vetoed UNSC Resolution 24 submitted to the UNSC condemning the Israeli occupation

Canada and US protect Israel in UN General Assembly (UNGA) votes 16+ resolutions every November-December at the UN relating to Palestine and human rights Canada traditionally voted with its European allies on these and other votes Since the mid-2000s, starting with the Paul Martin government, Canada started shifting its votes more and more to favour Israel. Under Harper, Canada shifted against all resolutions supporting Palestinian human rights –the Trudeau government continues this trend. Canada is now part of a tiny minority of nations opposing these resolutions, joining Israel, the US, and Pacific island nations like Vanuatu, Palau, Micronesia. The votes are usually like 177-7; 135-6, etc.

Canada’s UNGA Voting Record

Other Examples: Canada shielding Israel from criticism In 2014, Canada boycotts a UN conference that called attention to Israel's illegal settlement activities. In 2016, Parliament passes anti-BDS motion (supported by most Liberals) – a move that Amnesty International panned as violating basic civil liberties. Harper and Trudeau governments both vocally condemn Russia’s annexation of Crimea, but have refused to speak out against Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem

Other Miscellaneous Examples Threats to withdraw funding to UNESCO by Western countries when this UN organization takes steps to recognize Palestinian heritage Threats to remove funding to the UNHRC when it criticizes Israel Refusal to impose diplomatic or economic sanctions against Israel in the same way it does against other countries (e.g. Iran, Iraq, Syria), e.g. in terms of sanctioning military action, imposing no-fly zones, sending peacekeepers, etc. Refusal to make human rights an issue with trade and arms sales to Israel as we sometimes do with other countries (e.g. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, etc.) Recent example: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency permits sale of wines from Jewish-only “settlements” in the occupied Palestinian territories which are falsely labelled as "Products of Israel."

Part 2: Common “Singling out Israel” Arguments Q&A Part 2: Common “Singling out Israel” Arguments

Doesn’t BDS single out Israel? Other nations commit grave human rights abuses, but the boycott of Israel is an explicit call to action launched by Palestinian civil society. (e.g. There is no similar campaign or set of objectives guiding any international boycott against Saudi Arabia. ) BDS is justified via objectives based on international law BDS has objectives that are uniquely specific to Israel- Palestine. It will not solve all the problems of the world any more than boycott of South African apartheid brought world peace in the 80s or 90s.

What about other urgent human rights crises? "Why isn't there a larger focus on Syria or Yemen? The situation there is so much worse." Death toll and violations in Syria are horrific, but the conflict in Syria began in 2011, and will likely end in few years. Israel's occupation of Palestine is in its 50th year with no end in sight. Israel’s occupation of Palestinian is not just a conflict, it is one of the last colonial projects in the world. Like slavery, colonialism is widely condemned and understood to be one of the largest perpetrators of human rights abuses.

Israel wants to be a democracy – let’s make sure they act like it! Israel wants to be a Liberal, Western-styled democracy. We are simply holding them accountable to the standards that come with that title. Israel can’t be treated diplomatically like a Western nation, yet have a rights record like Syria or Saudi Arabia If they want to be treated like Syria, are they ready for UN sanctions and no-fly zones?