Oy, Canada
Last week, the leaders of England, France and Canada issued a stern warning to Israel that it stop its pursuit of Hamas in Gaza, or else. So many issues here, so little time and space…
Let us begin with the irony that Canada is actually the product of the two other countries, who were involved in conquering new world territory for their own respective imperialist, colonial interests. At the expense of the people who lived there. (And, for that matter, to this day.) That England and France, who both have wars against tyranny and dictatorship in their respective histories, are now arguing for the preservation of a terrorist, dictatorial murderous organization bent on the destruction of an open democracy is unbelievable.
The statement issued by the three leaders began with the obligatory, attempt at a show of even-handedness declaration that Israel has the right to self-defence. Then came the no less obligatory word – but.
Canada has a bit of experience in fighting terror. In 1970, an organization known as the FLQ, the Front for the Liberation of Quebec, began taking violent action in order to gain independence for the French province. They kidnapped James Cross, a British commercial liaison. Not long after, they kidnapped Quebec legislature member Pierre LaPorte. Mr. Cross was eventually rescued. M. LaPorte was found in the trunk of a car with a bullet in his head. In order to stop the threat, Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau implemented the War Measures Act. This basically stripped Canadians of any rights as citizens. One reporter, at a briefing, said, “You can’t do that”. Trudeau’s response was, “Watch me”. The terrorists were indeed captured, and that was it (They were granted the option of standing trial, or leaving the country to go wherever they were welcomed. Cuba took them; within five years they returned to Canada to stand trial. Prison in a democracy over freedom under a dictatorship. I always found that interesting.) Granted, the FLQ had nowhere near the international political or financial support that any of the organizations looking to destroy Israel have, but since then, all of Quebec’s efforts toward independence or a better position within Confederation have all been through legal, democratic means.
In the years when I was growing up in Canada, the government, whether Liberal or Conservative, were generally sympathetic to the claims of both parties in the Israel-Arab conflict. In the early 80’s, again under Pierre Trudeau, the House of Commons passed a resolution that the Palestinians should have a state. In 1984, Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s government rescinded that resolution. Canada’s foreign policy, in general, was based on not tearing our trousers on the proverbial fence of impartiality.
There is a fair amount more here, and not just regarding Canada. Suffice to say for now that it is a sad day for a country that values freedom and western values when they decide that those who seek the destruction of an entire people need to be protected.
