TORONTO — Stephen Harper has become the first prime minister to be awarded Canadian Jewish Congress’ Saul Hayes Human Rights Award.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
The award, given to an individual in Canada or abroad who has rendered distinguished service to the cause of human rights, was presented to the prime minister Sunday at the CJC’s 29th plenary assembly at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in Toronto. The plenary marked the 90th anniversary of the organization’s founding.
Outgoing CJC co-presidents Sylvain Abitbol, left, and Rabbi Reuven Bulka, third from left, confer the Samuel Bronfman Medal upon Julia and Henry Koschitzky. [Special Event Photography]
In accepting the award, Harper announced that his government will introduce legislation this week that will give victims of terror the right to seek compensation for their suffering. The government plans to amend the State Immunity Act to allow Canadians to seek redress in Canada against foreign individuals or governments for damages wrought by acts of terrorism.
Also at the event, Toronto lawyer and jurist, former deputy attorney general for Ontario and longtime community activist Mark Freiman, was installed as incoming CJC president.
“I am truly honoured to have been asked to take on this important and challenging role,” Freiman told the assembly. “There is much to do in advancing CJC’s key advocacy initiatives. I hope that with the assistance and support of the officers, the board and the staff, I can make an appropriate contribution to this much-needed work over the next two years.”
Explaining his approach to his new role, Freiman said that “advocacy starts with the assembly of information, and that requires effective listening. [Then] when you do speak, your voice is noted and your lesson is heard.”
He said he intends to visit communities across the country. “Only then can we be assured that all diverse voices are listened to.”
Harper said that although his government is not always of one mind with the government of Israel, he is troubled by those who use their opposition to Israel as a cover for anti-Semitic discourse.
Speaking in French and English, he said it is all too common for politicians to support Israel in forums like this, and then condemn the country and accuse it of war crimes when it defends itself.
“You won’t hear that kind of doublespeak from our government ever,” he said to a standing ovation.
“I am proud of what our government has done.” In reference to Holocaust deniers, he added, “We have placed priority on the advancement of knowledge of history, of [denouncing] anti-Semitism and [advancing] human rights.
Keynote speaker Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, praised CJC for being the conscience of Canada.
“They have spoken for the larger principle of human solidarity. The best way to protect your own rights is to protect the rights of others.”
Ignatieff said Canada cannot be silent when one state denies another state the right to exist. “We must stand with Israel in times of [Israel’s] trial.”
He told the audience that his rules for life in public office are to listen to everyone and have an open door, “but that does not mean I agree with everyone. We cannot be neutral when historic facts are denied, and we cannot meet with groups that have links to terrorism.”
He added that we cannot say one thing in a synagogue and another in a mosque. “My overriding duty is to unite Canadians and define what is legitimate and illegitimate in the Middle East.
“Criticism of Israel is legitimate, but to call it a war criminal [and intimidate] those who defend it is not. Attacks on places of worship and study are never legitimate.”
The Middle East conflict provokes passionate disagreement, he said, but it should not cause conflict in Canadian communities. “It shouldn’t be turned into a political wedge.”
Ignatieff said it is reckless for politicians to win votes by claiming a monopoly on the support of Israel. “I don’t want my party to be alone in the defence of Israel. I want all parties to [defend Israel].”
Silvan Shalom, vice-prime minister of Israel and minister for regional development and the development of the Negev and the Galilee, said that since its inception, Israel has not been able to enjoy even one minute of peace and quiet.
“The history of the Jewish people teaches us that Jews were the first to suffer from hatred. We are still engaged in the struggle and we are still in conflict, but today the State of Israel is not engaged alone.”
Many people support Israel, he said, “but when I close my eyes and listen to the prime minister of Canada, I think I am in Jerusalem in the Knesset.”
Shalom acknowledged that without Canadians and Canadian Jewish Congress, “we couldn’t make it. I thank all of CJC for its devotion to Israel.”
During the proceedings, Julia and Henry Koschitzky received the Samuel Bronfman Medal for distinguished service to CJC and the Jewish community. It was the first time a couple had been honoured with the award.
In the morning sessions of the plenary, Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, and Jack Layton, MP and leader of the NDP, presented policy statements.
May told the group that her party backs the two-state solution and that the right of Israel to exist is non-negotiable. “Peace and nonviolence are better served by engaging in the region. Governments of the world must keep an eye on [it],” she said.
Asked what role religious groups can play in protecting the environment, May said the essence of responsibility for each other is embedded in creation. “It is important to point out that the values of sharing and respect [are what] move the country forward.”
Layton said the core meaning of the word tzedakah is justice. “We must help those less fortunate because it is right. Justice means the end of poverty, the end of genocide, the end of racism.
“Social justice begins at home. We need to start by assisting the least fortunate. The gap between rich and poor has never been wider, and in the depths of this economic crisis, there are 800,000 poor children [in Canada]. Half of all families feel one or two paycheques away from falling into poverty.”
In the Middle East, he said, the NDP has a proud tradition of working for peace, and is committed to the right of Israel to exist within secure borders and of the Palestinians to have an independent state with secure borders.
“Here in Canada, we must work together for justice and peace at home and abroad. Let’s work together with open hearts and open minds. It is never too late to build a better world.”
Among the nine resolutions put forward, the resolution to overturn the approved name change of Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec region, was soundly defeated. That means the name remains Quebec Jewish Congress, a division of Canadian Jewish Congress.
