Jewish-themed issues were unexpectedly part of the Toronto municipal elections. We heard allegations of former mayor Rob Ford uttering anti-Semitic calumnies. And after he dropped out of the race, a fringe Jewish candidate, Ari Goldkind, demanded that his brother Doug apologize for Rob’s transgressions since he was now running in his brother’s stead. That led to Doug Ford trying to defend the family honour by invoking the fact he had a Jewish doctor, dentist, lawyer etc. In turn, in order to shield himself against accusations of anti-Semitism, Doug invoked his evangelical Christian wife’s Jewish bloodline as a means of defence.
However, for me, the ugliest of Jewish themes was the re-emergence of that distasteful group of anti-Israel agitators Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) from what I thought was a dormant sleep. Unfortunately, hatred has this tendency to feed off publicity, and one of the mayoral debates gave it an unnecessary breath of life.
QuAIA gained notoriety a number of years ago when it raised a ruckus in the Jewish community with its decision to march in Toronto’s gay Pride parade. I admit today with some regret that, as CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress at the time, I was a part of the Jewish community leadership that helped raise its profile. Undeniably, Israel has its faults, but it’s a haven for LGBTQ people in an otherwise hostile and unwelcoming Middle East. However by railing against QuAIA’s use of the word “apartheid” in its name, we gave it all the exposure it craved.
“It’s hateful,” we protested. “Israel is a haven for gays and lesbians,” we reminded many. We engaged in long, drawn-out verbal battles explaining how Israel is not an apartheid state. In the end, an investigation into the use of the word “apartheid” by the City of Toronto determined that while distasteful, argumentative, and even vile and repulsive, it doesn’t contravene city funding regulations. More than that, despite our protestations, it was clear that the use of the term with all its untruthful implications as applied to Israel was not in violation of Canada’s anti-hate laws.
The Jewish community and its many supporters were stymied. However, some thoughtful heads came together and decided on a strategy. Instead of feeding the beast, we would stand up for Israel. Instead of drawing attention to the QuAIA’s revolting rhetoric, we would celebrate the Jewish state, which warmly accepts LGBTQ people and gives them legal protections unseen anywhere else in the Middle East.
Thus was born the collaboration with the Jewish LGBTQ group Kulanu. The word went out far and wide for Jews, non-Jews and anyone who supported Israel’s protection of gays and lesbians to join us at the Pride parade.
Surprisingly, hundreds turned up, dancing, singing distributing condoms whose packaging read “Israel still a safe place to come” captured the hearts of thousands along the parade route.
The few QuAIA supporters who did show up were obvious by their negative messaging and dour outlook. Their balloon began to lose air very quickly. QuAIA soon became irrelevant, as Pride-goers were more interested in partying and celebrating than in hearing odious messages of hate. Optimism won out over pessimism.
The bottom line is simple, and it’s time for those who support Israel to get it: QuAIA has a democratic right to its opinion, no matter how wrong it may be. Those of us who disagree with QuAIA do Israel a disservice by trying to engage with them in a negative campaign. If QuAIA breaks our anti-hate laws, I expect police to lay charges.
If ever the QuAIA issue arises again, we must shine the light on Israel’s LGBTQ record, reminding the world that gays, lesbians, queers and transgendered people live in a state of oppression in virtually all Islamic countries.
Our message should be in celebration of Israel as a true democracy that works to respect the rights of all.