Ga’ava partner CIJA describes itself as “the voice of the organized Jewish and pro-Israel communities in Canada.” Is it a stretch that advocates for a state committing genocide might not be welcome in a parade celebrating human rights?
Dear Marisela Amador and Chris Bury,
This article takes at face value the talking points of Ga’ava and its partner the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) that their being banned from Montreal’s Fierté is an act of antisemitism that, as Ga’ava’s volunteer president claims, is “based on flimsy, politically motivated reasons… by pressure groups that hate Jews, denies Israel’s existence and, whose members celebrated the atrocities of October 7, 2023…”
Ending with the detail that 20 queer groups cut ties with Fierté, “accusing the organization of fostering a toxic environment that excluded communities they claim to support,” seemingly supports Ga’ava/CIJA’s accusations. In fact, many of those groups were protesting Fierté’s silence on Israel’s actions in Gaza, which this week was declared a genocide by Israel’s leading human rights group B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, reaffirming the findings by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine. On Wednesday, singer Safia Nolin withdrew from Fierté, stating, “Last year, the Israeli flag was in the parade. How does that make you feel? It’s unacceptable.”
Ga’ava partner CIJA describes itself as “the voice of the organized Jewish and pro-Israel communities in Canada.” Is it a stretch that advocates for a state committing genocide might not be welcome in a parade celebrating human rights?
Richard Fung
Toronto