With the U.S. election just three months away, many Canadians are aghast at the divisive political theatre playing itself out south of the border.
Hindered by tax laws that prevent non-profits from endorsing – or opposing – a candidate, American Jewish groups face a dilemma as they try to rebuke politicians whose negative comments go against Jewish principles they hold dear. Some are more overt in their criticism, while others take care not to name names.
Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz doesn’t hold back. In an opinion piece, he writes that “Palestinian-empathizing, settlement-bashing, Iran legitimating Barack Obama now appears quite the soul of temperate wisdom.” And Hillary Clinton, he writes, “previously tarred in right-wing Israeli circles… now looks responsible, serious, adult. Compared to Donald Trump, indeed, [she] now stands for Israel as the near epitome of presidential salvation.”
But one thing is clear: as fractious as the U.S. election has been, for Americans – including Jews – the discord is rarely about issues and more about “to Trump or not to Trump.”
Israel and the Middle East are rarely mentioned. As Nelson Wiseman, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto, says in report from CJN staff writer Paul Lungen, questions about support for Israel, which proved to be a hot-button issue in last year’s Canadian election, are far down the list of concerns for American Jewish voters.
As Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said, “When I hear American Jews debating the presidential election, I don’t hear them talking about Israel-related issues.”
While last year’s Canadian federal election had some contentious moments, it was relatively tame by U.S. standards. However, in Canada, Israel-related issues were more of a factor than they’ve been so far in the United States, with some Liberals accusing the Conservatives of making Israel a wedge issue. In his story, Lungen reminds us about the time angry Jews picketed Liberal supporter Barry Sherman’s private fundraiser at his Toronto home over the Liberals’ support for the Iran nuclear deal. And there’s no doubt the Liberals made a concerted effort to regain Jewish votes they lost to the Tories in the 2011 election, thanks largely to former prime minister Stephen Harper’s vocal support for Israel.
Currently, Israel-related issues are threatening to tear apart one Canadian party – the Greens. As we read in in a recent CJN article, federal Green Leader Elizabeth May is contemplating stepping down after party members voted at their recent convention to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.
May has been vocal in her opposition to the move, telling CBC News it’s led her to struggle “with the question of whether I should continue as leader or not.” May has always played down the anti-Israel rhetoric of some in her party, but this time it seems she’s willing to put her job on the line over her principles.
As Fogel said, “It requires a lot of courage and real leadership to be able to push back against those kinds of emotionally driven and disingenuous efforts.”
It’s hard not to agree.
