Senate Member
Posts: 6,500 
November 17th, 2006, 09:49 AM
Canada takes pro-Israel stance at UN
Steven EdwardsCanWest News Service
Friday, November 17, 2006
UNITED NATIONS - Canada under the Conservatives demonstrated a marked shift in favour of Israel in votes at the United Nations Thursday, registering its third change in a row on more than 20 Arab- and Muslim-sponsored resolutions that are annually critical of Israeli policy, but light on Arab responsibilities.
The switch from the way former Liberal governments voted is expected to continue when Canadian diplomats join those of other UN member states to consider 10 more of the annual resolutions next Tuesday.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said in successive speeches his government would not endorse international resolutions on Arab-Israeli relations it considers unbalanced.
Arab and Muslim states use their developing world support to produce ''automatic majorities'' that slot the resolutions into the international record, then cite them to argue they have global support for their causes.
On many of the resolutions, Israel has typically received support only from the United States, a few U.S.-dependent Pacific island states, and frequently Australia but now Canada is breaking from its traditional siding with the Europeans on most of the issues.
''If this is a shift, and if the resolutions are largely unchanged from previous years, then it will have implications for our reputation around the world, and echoes in Canada as well,'' warned Paul Heinbecker, a former Canadian ambassador to the UN under the Liberals who is now an international governance expert with two Waterloo, Ont., think-tanks.
''Canada is known for taking a fair-minded and principled approach to these questions, and when I was ambassador, Canada judged every resolution on its merits, taking into account the central issue they are trying to address, and the question of fairness.''
But pro-Israel and Jewish groups in Canada have for years lobbied that the resolutions are biased because they demand so much of Israel, but little from the Arab side in the search for Middle East peace and the current government appears to agree, prompting praise from Canada's Jewish community.
''We're very pleased Canada is staying the course and is now guided by a (new) set of principles,'' said Sara Freedman, a senior official with the Canada-Israel Committee. ''Doing so is putting the onus on the UN to be fair and equitable as they deal with the Middle East situation.''
The Jewish human rights activist group B'nai Brith Canada expressed similar satisfaction.
''It's anti-Israel time at the UN once again and Canada has taken up the challenge,'' said Frank Dimant, the group's executive vice-president. ''The changes to Canada's vote on Ethree resolutions so far demonstrates that the government will not be bound by traditional anti-Israel voting patterns, but will instead continue the principled course it has charted.''
Officials with the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations did not return calls for comment.
The resolution before the UN Thursday speaks of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and saw Canada abstain, whereas Canada endorsed the resolution last year under the Liberals.
"Canada reiterates its strongest possible support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination as part of a negotiated, two-state settlement Ehowever, this resolution does not adequately address the responsibilities of both parties to the conflict to demonstrate efforts towards establishing a peaceful settlement,'' Alan Bowman, a senior official with the Canadian mission to the UN, told delegates in explanation of Canada's shift.
Of the two earlier resolutions in which Canada changed its vote, one spoke of the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, and the other called on Israel not to exploit natural resources in territory the draft designates ''occupied Arab lands.''
Canada abstained on both after voting in favour last year. The nuclear proliferation resolution says Israel, which is widely presumed to possess nuclear weapons, should join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty a move that would involve Israel's giving up the bomb. But Canada said the resolution fails to also point out Iran is currently defying the UN over its nuclear program. Indeed, Western powers believe Iran is trying to develop a nuclear bomb even though it has signed the non-proliferation treaty, which allows it to legally develop nuclear technology for electricity production.
On the natural resources resolution, Canada expressed concern it fails, in part, to additionally make references to Israel's security concerns.
All the resolutions are currently before UN committees, though all 192 UN member states sit on each one. The drafts enter the international record after the full General Assembly votes on the measures later this year. The process is usually a rubber stamp.
Canada takes pro-Israel stance at UN
Steven EdwardsCanWest News Service
Friday, November 17, 2006
UNITED NATIONS - Canada under the Conservatives demonstrated a marked shift in favour of Israel in votes at the United Nations Thursday, registering its third change in a row on more than 20 Arab- and Muslim-sponsored resolutions that are annually critical of Israeli policy, but light on Arab responsibilities.
The switch from the way former Liberal governments voted is expected to continue when Canadian diplomats join those of other UN member states to consider 10 more of the annual resolutions next Tuesday.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said in successive speeches his government would not endorse international resolutions on Arab-Israeli relations it considers unbalanced.
Arab and Muslim states use their developing world support to produce ''automatic majorities'' that slot the resolutions into the international record, then cite them to argue they have global support for their causes.
On many of the resolutions, Israel has typically received support only from the United States, a few U.S.-dependent Pacific island states, and frequently Australia but now Canada is breaking from its traditional siding with the Europeans on most of the issues.
''If this is a shift, and if the resolutions are largely unchanged from previous years, then it will have implications for our reputation around the world, and echoes in Canada as well,'' warned Paul Heinbecker, a former Canadian ambassador to the UN under the Liberals who is now an international governance expert with two Waterloo, Ont., think-tanks.
''Canada is known for taking a fair-minded and principled approach to these questions, and when I was ambassador, Canada judged every resolution on its merits, taking into account the central issue they are trying to address, and the question of fairness.''
But pro-Israel and Jewish groups in Canada have for years lobbied that the resolutions are biased because they demand so much of Israel, but little from the Arab side in the search for Middle East peace and the current government appears to agree, prompting praise from Canada's Jewish community.
''We're very pleased Canada is staying the course and is now guided by a (new) set of principles,'' said Sara Freedman, a senior official with the Canada-Israel Committee. ''Doing so is putting the onus on the UN to be fair and equitable as they deal with the Middle East situation.''
The Jewish human rights activist group B'nai Brith Canada expressed similar satisfaction.
''It's anti-Israel time at the UN once again and Canada has taken up the challenge,'' said Frank Dimant, the group's executive vice-president. ''The changes to Canada's vote on Ethree resolutions so far demonstrates that the government will not be bound by traditional anti-Israel voting patterns, but will instead continue the principled course it has charted.''
Officials with the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations did not return calls for comment.
The resolution before the UN Thursday speaks of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and saw Canada abstain, whereas Canada endorsed the resolution last year under the Liberals.
"Canada reiterates its strongest possible support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination as part of a negotiated, two-state settlement Ehowever, this resolution does not adequately address the responsibilities of both parties to the conflict to demonstrate efforts towards establishing a peaceful settlement,'' Alan Bowman, a senior official with the Canadian mission to the UN, told delegates in explanation of Canada's shift.
Of the two earlier resolutions in which Canada changed its vote, one spoke of the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, and the other called on Israel not to exploit natural resources in territory the draft designates ''occupied Arab lands.''
Canada abstained on both after voting in favour last year. The nuclear proliferation resolution says Israel, which is widely presumed to possess nuclear weapons, should join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty a move that would involve Israel's giving up the bomb. But Canada said the resolution fails to also point out Iran is currently defying the UN over its nuclear program. Indeed, Western powers believe Iran is trying to develop a nuclear bomb even though it has signed the non-proliferation treaty, which allows it to legally develop nuclear technology for electricity production.
On the natural resources resolution, Canada expressed concern it fails, in part, to additionally make references to Israel's security concerns.
All the resolutions are currently before UN committees, though all 192 UN member states sit on each one. The drafts enter the international record after the full General Assembly votes on the measures later this year. The process is usually a rubber stamp.
Council Member
Posts: 1,465
Location: Canada
Location: Canada
November 23rd, 2006, 07:16 PM
Prime Minister John Howard will be presented the prestigious B'nai B'rith international Presidential Gold Medal for his "outstanding" support of Israel and the Jewish people at a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, May 16.
PM to receive B'nai B'rith's top honour
Gedaliah Afterman
PRIME Minister John Howard will be presented the prestigious B'nai B'rith international Presidential Gold Medal for his "outstanding" support of Israel and the Jewish people at a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, May 16.
A spokesperson for the prime minister told the AJN that Howard was "deeply honoured" by the award, and that "Australia's consistent support for the State of Israel is based on principle and a profound respect for the courage and achievements of the Jewish people".
B'nai B'rith Australia/New Zealand president James Altman said: "In a world where many countries are demonising Israel, which is leading to antisemitism in those countries, John Howard and his government have been a beacon of light against that trend."
Howard's commitment to Israel and the Jewish community was also the topic of an address last week to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), in which he praised Australian Jewry's "invaluable contribution" to the broader community, and reiterated the government's "steadfast" commitment to a "safe and secure Israel".
In a congratulatory video message screened at the AJC's 100th annual meeting in Washington, Howard said the Australian Jewish community "plays a major role in strengthening the friendship between Australia and Israel and in bringing us closer to our allies".
Congratulating the AJC for its accomplishments on human-rights issues and the advancement of inter-faith relations, the PM stated: "The international Jewish community and the state of Israel have no closer friends than Australia and the United States."
Howard, who last visited Israel in 2000, is tipped to return to the Jewish State as early as July, following an invitation from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Last year, Howard completed a rare trifecta by receiving awards from three organisations in recognition of his support for Jewish causes: Sydney's Jewish Communal Appeal, the AJC and the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
A strong Australian delegation at the AJC conference included Mark Leibler, who is national chairman of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), an AJC affiliate; AIJAC executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein, who presented a session on opportunities for strengthening ties with South-East Asia; and former Executive Council of Australian Jewry president and current AIJAC director of international affairs Jeremy Jones, who gave a presentation on antisemitism. Six representatives of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students were also present.
http://www.ajn.com.au/news/news_print.asp?pgID=533
Prime Minister John Howard will be presented the prestigious B'nai B'rith international Presidential Gold Medal for his "outstanding" support of Israel and the Jewish people at a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, May 16.
PM to receive B'nai B'rith's top honour
Gedaliah Afterman
PRIME Minister John Howard will be presented the prestigious B'nai B'rith international Presidential Gold Medal for his "outstanding" support of Israel and the Jewish people at a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, May 16.
A spokesperson for the prime minister told the AJN that Howard was "deeply honoured" by the award, and that "Australia's consistent support for the State of Israel is based on principle and a profound respect for the courage and achievements of the Jewish people".
B'nai B'rith Australia/New Zealand president James Altman said: "In a world where many countries are demonising Israel, which is leading to antisemitism in those countries, John Howard and his government have been a beacon of light against that trend."
Howard's commitment to Israel and the Jewish community was also the topic of an address last week to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), in which he praised Australian Jewry's "invaluable contribution" to the broader community, and reiterated the government's "steadfast" commitment to a "safe and secure Israel".
In a congratulatory video message screened at the AJC's 100th annual meeting in Washington, Howard said the Australian Jewish community "plays a major role in strengthening the friendship between Australia and Israel and in bringing us closer to our allies".
Congratulating the AJC for its accomplishments on human-rights issues and the advancement of inter-faith relations, the PM stated: "The international Jewish community and the state of Israel have no closer friends than Australia and the United States."
Howard, who last visited Israel in 2000, is tipped to return to the Jewish State as early as July, following an invitation from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Last year, Howard completed a rare trifecta by receiving awards from three organisations in recognition of his support for Jewish causes: Sydney's Jewish Communal Appeal, the AJC and the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
A strong Australian delegation at the AJC conference included Mark Leibler, who is national chairman of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), an AJC affiliate; AIJAC executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein, who presented a session on opportunities for strengthening ties with South-East Asia; and former Executive Council of Australian Jewry president and current AIJAC director of international affairs Jeremy Jones, who gave a presentation on antisemitism. Six representatives of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students were also present.
http://www.ajn.com.au/news/news_print.asp?pgID=533
Genius
Posts: 998
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
November 23rd, 2006, 07:29 PM
Personally, I think Canada should stay neutral. Taking sides isn't always a good thing. There’s no clear right or wrong. Both parties have committed crimes. Being pro-Israel means you support bombing villages of no military value.
Personally, I think Canada should stay neutral. Taking sides isn't always a good thing. There’s no clear right or wrong. Both parties have committed crimes. Being pro-Israel means you support bombing villages of no military value.
Genius
Posts: 998
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
November 23rd, 2006, 07:46 PM
Well, Israel allready has the backing of the US. Canada wont contribute anything by backing Israel. We have a small voice on the international stage. Canada will only gain more enemies. And the UN doesn't do anything.
Well, Israel allready has the backing of the US. Canada wont contribute anything by backing Israel. We have a small voice on the international stage. Canada will only gain more enemies. And the UN doesn't do anything.
November 23rd, 2006, 07:50 PM
What a telling statement.
We have a small voice because successive governments have sat idly by while the world went on around us. Whisperring while we should have been shouting. Staying neutral only perpetuates that meak voice.
Perhaps if Canada had applied our unique courage to the situation in the ME years ago, instead of sniffing sand, it wouldn't be the mess it is now?
Quoting Gonzo
Canada has a small voice.
Well, Israel allready has the backing of the US. Canada wont contribute anything by backing Israel. We have a small voice on the international stage. Canada will only gain more enemies. And the UN doesn't do anything.
What a telling statement.
We have a small voice because successive governments have sat idly by while the world went on around us. Whisperring while we should have been shouting. Staying neutral only perpetuates that meak voice.
Perhaps if Canada had applied our unique courage to the situation in the ME years ago, instead of sniffing sand, it wouldn't be the mess it is now?
