“In the opinion of this House the term Israel Apartheid Week is condemned as it serves to incite hatred against Israel, a democratic state that respects the rule of law and human rights, and the use of the word ‘apartheid’ in this context diminishes the suffering of those who were victims of a true apartheid regime in South Africa.”
A vote for this resolution is a vote against freedom of expression. In a supposedly ‘free society’ people have a right to factually argue about whether Israel is an Apartheid state or not. People also have a right to organize Israeli Apartheid Week and other events that are critical of Israel or
any other nation-state. The job of MPPs is not to ban events and terms simply because they disagree with them.
Supporters of Israel have many opportunities to engage in debates about the use of the term Israeli Apartheid. Attempting to suppress discussion of the issue through motions such as the one before the house clearly illustrates that they are all too aware of the weakness of their position and are very afraid of this debate.
** Call or Email YOUR MPP TODAY – ASK THEM TO VOTE AGAINST THIS MOTION **
Contact info for your MPP is available at this link:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/
Sample Letter to Email / Talking Points:
Dear (Name of Your MPP):
I’m writing to ask you to vote against Motion #93, to be discussed on Monday May 25, 2009 that calls for the condemnation of Israeli Apartheid Week. This motion was filed by Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman.
Israeli Apartheid Week is an annual series of lectures held on university campuses in Toronto and many cities around the world.
Attempting to suppress discussion of Israel through motions such as the one before the house is not consistent with a society which respects freedom of expression. Supporters of Israel have many opportunities to put forward their facts and arguments to dispute the use of the term Israeli apartheid. If Israel is not an Apartheid state, the facts should stand for themselves and there is no need for the provincial government to suppress the use of the term Israeli Apartheid.
There are very specific political, legal and moral arguments about whether Israel is an apartheid state or not. You may agree or disagree with them, but MPP’s should not be in the business of curtailing debate and banning discussion. You have an obligation to protect freedom of expression, even if the views put forward are ones you disagree with. On that note, I ask you to
vote against this motion and encourage you to set a meeting with organizers of Israeli Apartheid Week to hear their views and understand the issues they raise.
Yours Sincerely,
