During the nine long years that I sat in Soviet prisons -- a prisoner of conscience, punished for my human-rights advocacy and desire to emigrate to Israel -- I drew encouragement from the fact that well-meaning people across the globe were demonstrating and advocating for my release and for the human rights of all Soviet dissidents. Canadians were among the leaders of this campaign.
Indeed, in the decade since my release and immigration to Israel, Canadians have been key partners and leaders in global human-rights campaigns that I have waged, and in my efforts to promote democratic reforms in the Middle East. In these battles, I have come to appreciate that a passion for human rights, belief in the innate goodness of man, penchant for fairness and balance in international affairs, and commitment to democracy are qualities quintessentially "Canadian."
Needless to say, I was shocked and saddened -- and deeply offended -- to learn that the Ontario branch of a Canadian union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, has called for an international campaign to boycott and sanction Israel until it "meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination" and it allows Palestinian refugees a so-called right of return to Israel.
This decision is totally out of sync with Mideast realities, and runs counter to every principle of justice and human rights. I can only assume that most CUPE Ontario members simply are not aware of the most basic facts and recent regional developments, and have been led astray by a few radical activists hostile to Israel who seek to undermine my country's legitimacy and well-being.
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The Palestinian Authority-governed areas have become territories run by feuding warlords and armed gangs, and a haven for international terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.
It is not surprising that the radical Islamic regime in Iran -- which says it intends to annihilate Israel with a nuclear bomb that it is building -- has become the Palestinian Authority's most loyal backer. In this sad situation, Western governments, including Canada's, have rightly declared a moratorium on international funding for the Palestinian government. We need stability and responsibility from the Palestinians if there is to be any chance for peace in the region.
The freeze on funding imposed by the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union -- known as the "quartet" -- has seriously disconcerted Palestinian leaders. To deflect attention from their own failures and to repel international pressures for reform, they are scapegoating Israel once again.
The CUPE Ontario vote, I suspect, is part of this attempt to divert attention from the chaos, the malfeasance and the condoning of terrorism by the Palestinian Authority, and to isolate Israel, instead. The clearest sign of this is CUPE Ontario's call for supporting a Palestinian "right of return" -- code words for the dismantlement of Israel as the world's only Jewish state. This is an extremist position, supported only by those who truly wish to destroy Israel.
Why punish Israel precisely when it is taking important steps toward peace and remains open to goodwill negotiations aimed at ending the conflict? Surely Canadians can make a more constructive contribution to our troubled region. Rolling back the unfortunate CUPE Ontario decision would be a good place to start.
Irony of Ironies, CUPE timed their vote boycott to co-incide on the Jewish Sabbath. As my grandfather used to say, timing is everything in life. And so, now that buying and drinking wine has become an act of political dissent; I will be off to the LCBO and will add a Carmel Brut Reserve Cuvee, a Barkan Classic Petite Syrah, a Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Carmel Merlot to my wine collection. Feel free to email me with any suggestions for other Israeli wines, though I should point out that I really am partial to reds and sparklings.
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