The Global Village
The duty of witness. Forgetting evil is a dangerous corrosive
Par Beryl Wajsman le 21 avril 2014
As we approach Holocaust Remembrance Day this coming Sunday night, and the commemoration of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising that follows soon thereafter, there is a moral duty to take a hard look at the world around us. What we see must compel us to the responsibility of memory and witness. Particularly as, seemingly all around us, there is a desire to forget.
Déception et méfiance- changeons donc de stratégie
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 10 avril 2014
Rien ne va plus avec l’Autorité palestinienne et la méfiance persiste, pourtant rien n’est complètement perdu. L’administration américaine est confiante pour l’avenir et souhaite un prolongement des pourparlers. Tout en exerçant des pressions sur les deux parties elle réanime à chaque fois le processus pour prouver sa puissance et surtout pour ne pas perdre la face.
Jusqu’à ce jour, nous avons pensé sincèrement que notre partenaire est vraiment sérieux et que notre voisin a de bonnes intentions, capable de mettre fin aux hostilités et à la belligérance et même pourra signer un jour un traité de paix viable.
Syria “Sauve Qui Peut “
Par David T. Jones le 7 avril 2014
At some point, one has to recognize that the cause, no matter how noble, has been lost.
And the “West” has lost in Syria.
Recall that approximately two years ago pontificating cognoscenti were saying Syrian leader Assad couldn’t last another six months, that it was “just a matter of time,” that the rebels would shortly prove victorious.
In a word, “Not.”
Assad has not only survived, he is winning; indeed, he has virtually won the civil war.
Les navires iraniens dans le collimateur d’Israël
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 16 mars 2014
Une fois encore Israël brouille les cartes de ses ennemis, une fois encore Tsahal prouve que son bras est long et qu’elle est capable d’atteindre des objectifs à des milliers de kilomètres de ses frontières. Dans le passé, nous avons connu des exploits extraordinaires comme à Entebbe, à Bagdad, à Tunis ou au Soudan, soit pour libérer des otages, soit pour détruire une centrale nucléaire, éliminer un chef de l’OLP et faire écrouler son QG tel un château de cartes, ou bombarder des convois de contrebandes d’armes et des chefs terroristes, en Syrie, au Liban et dans les déserts africains.
Potty-mouth Diplomacy
Par David T. Jones le 15 février 2014
Washington, DC - Even two generations ago, I was probably a sheltered middle-class child. Perhaps my upbringing was closer to “Victorian” in ignorance of sex and sexuality than even 20th century protocols. At an age when today’s children are getting explicit, detailed information on pregnancy, homosexuality, etc, I was still being told that “the stork brought you” or that I was “found under a cabbage leaf.” It generated an inchoate sense of frustration, but not living on a farm where normal animal activity would have clued me in, I had no obvious source of information.
Remembrance - Auschwitz, January 27th, 1945
Par Beryl Wajsman le 27 janvier 2014
Today, January 27th, is the 69th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops. Perhaps for this reason, this date was chosen as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Curiously, and sadly, it took the UN sixty years to give recognition to this most seminal and apocalyptic event in human history. The organization at whose entrance are carved the words of the prophet Isaiah that, “Swords shall be beaten into plowshares and nation shall not make war against nation anymore,”got around to commemorating Holocaust remembrance only in 2005. We are not only still waiting for Isaiah’s prophecy to be realized but also for that day when those other prophetic words “Justice shall roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream…” have life breathed into them.
Harper to Israel "Through fire and water Canada will stand with you."
Par Beryl Wajsman le 21 janvier 2014
This past Monday, Prime Minister Harper addressed Israel’s Parliament – The Knesset. His speech was a bold and resolute statement of the family of the free. It was truth clearly spoken. On moral relativism. On international double standards. On the new anti-semitism. And on the incontrovertible place of Israel as the vanguard of democratic nations. It was history made. On a personal note, it was the most compelling expression of conscience by a Canadian leader in my memory. We have posted the video link to the speech on our website and Facebook page. But we wanted to bring you some excerpts. They are set out below. Please take a few moments to read them. It is worth your while.
Canada-Israël : une amitié forte et exemplaire
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 21 janvier 2014
Jérusalem, Israël - Rares sont aujourd’hui les chefs d’Etats et de gouvernements qui manifestent publiquement leur soutien inconditionnel pour Israël . Le Premier ministre canadien fait partie de cette poignée d’hommes courageux qui déclare sans ambages et tout haut de la tribune de la Knesset « Oui, je suis un sincère ami de l’Etat d’Israël ! Oui, j’y suis avec vous corps et âme, dans le feu et l’eau ! Oui nous défendons l’existence d’un Etat libre, démocratique et juif». Un discours sincère qui nous réconforte et qui prouve que l’Etat juif n’est pas isolé sur la scène internationale.
2014 : année d’incertitudes, de menaces et d’espoir
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 2 janvier 2014
Jerusalem, Israël - Le gouvernement Netanyahou se trouve aujourd’hui dans l’obligation de prendre des décisions graves pour assurer la sécurité d'Israël. Nous ne pouvons plus demeurer indifférents devant toutes les turbulences qui secouent notre région comme d’ailleurs nous ne pouvons être étrangers à la solution du problème palestinien. L’inaction et l’immobilisme risquent toujours d’aggraver les dangers, et ainsi, pour pouvoir garantir notre défense nous devrions changer à la fois de stratégie et de tactique.
Depuis l’effondrement de l’Empire ottoman, le Moyen-Orient demeure un foyer de crises permanentes, de conflits à répétitions, de coups d’Etat et d’interventions étrangères.
Rouhani’s Nuclear Deal is Old Wine in a New Bottle
Par Rouba al-Fattal le 16 décembre 2013
Lost in Translation, seems to be a fitting title to describe the discrepancy between the Iranian and American understanding of the nuclear deal. On 24 November, an interim agreement was signed in Geneva between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany). The White House published a ‘fact sheet’ on the agreement a day before the text of the pact was officially released, and the Iranian government also published its translated version of the pact. The American version claims that the agreement ‘halts the progress of Iran’s nuclear program’; while the Iranian version states that the US ‘concurs with Iran’s right to a nuclear energy’. Even on technicalities the two versions seem to clash that the only thing they seem to agree on is to disagree.
How Mandela Made a Difference
Par John Parisella le 10 décembre 2013
The tributes to Nelson Mandela will continue to pour in over the next few days, as dignitaries make their way to pay their final respects to the leader who did more to transform Africa than any other in recent memory. His life story is now becoming more familiar by the day, and the upcoming film about his life will only add to the remarkable achievements of the man called Madiba.
We in Canada have always had a special place in our hearts for Nelson Mandela. The first country Mandela visited after his release from prison was Canada. The prime minister of the day, Brian Mulroney, was the principal world leader pushing for sanctions against the white supremacist government of South Africa, which ultimately brought the downfall of apartheid.
Remembering Mandela
Par l'Hon. Irwin Cotler le 10 décembre 2013
We are all, wherever we are, deeply saddened and profoundly pained at the passing of a great historical figure, Nelson Mandela – who endured 27 years in a South African prison and emerged not only to preside over the dismantling of apartheid, but, in fact, to make possible, as President, the establishment of a democratic, multiracial, free South Africa.
Mandela was the embodiment of the three great struggles of the 20th century: the long march toward freedom - as he put it - the march for democracy, and the march for equality. In a word, he was the metaphor and message for the struggle for human rights and human dignity in our time.
MANDELA: The captain of his soul. A man for our seasons.
Par Beryl Wajsman le 10 décembre 2013
Nelson Mandela once said, "A people comes to a point in its history where it has two choices. The first is to accept permanent inferiority. The second is to defy the government. We chose to defy the government." There would be no "permanent inferiority" for citizens of color in South Africa if Mandela had anything to say about it. For that matter, there would be no permanent inferiority for any citizen of South Africa.
But in his defiance, Mandela accomplished what no other revolutionary leader in the twentieth century had - attaining freedom for the oppressed without persecution of the oppressors.
The West and the Challenge of Democracy in Bangladesh
Par The Hon. David Kilgour le 2 décembre 2013
Recently , I had an opportunity to read the report of two respected Canadian Members of Parliament, Russ Hiebert and Joe Daniels, following their pre-election visit to Bangladesh with Antonio Vieira da Cruz of SADF’s Ottawa office. They met with a broad cross-section of religious leaders, journalists, lawyers, academics, former government and military officials, and representatives of civil society organizations. They heard differing perspectives on the role of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the International War Crimes Tribunal, the Awami League (AL), Bangladesh National Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and other political parties on Bangladeshi hopes generally for a stable political future.
La victoire des ayatollahs à Genève
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 29 novembre 2013
Jerusalem - A Genève, l’Iran a été officieusement reconnue « puissance nucléaire ». Avec des sourires, des accolades hypocrites, face aux projecteurs, les grandes puissances ont remis à l’Iran les insignes de membre du club atomique. La victoire des ayatollahs est une injustice flagrante ! L’obscurantisme, la politique belliqueuse et haineuse font désormais partie de la diplomatie occidentale, celle de la politique de l’autruche. On accepte sans rougir la politique d’un Etat voyou et on offre à ce pays, membre des Nations unies, la capacité de détruire un autre Etat de l’Organisation, et la légitimité de mettre en péril la paix dans le monde.
Is the Iran Nuclear Deal a Positive Step?
Par John Parisella le 29 novembre 2013
It has been said that if Iran develops a nuclear bomb, the world will become more dangerous than at any time since the height of the Cold War. The interim accord between Iran, the five members of the UN Security Council and Germany is meant to address this fear. The accord sets specific and significant limitations on Iran’s nuclear capability and development (that is, to freeze Iran’s nuclear program) with UN inspections in return for some temporary sanction relief for the Iranian government. The six-month agreement is temporary and is intended to provide a foundation for a long-term settlement beyond this deadline.
Où sont-ils? Que sont-ils devenus? Reviendront-ils un jour?
Par Alain-Michel Ayache le 21 novembre 2013
Lorsque je regarde un peu dans le passé proche à la recherche d’un modèle à donner en exemple à mon fils dans quelques années, je me trouve avec la bouche bée car je n’en trouve pas! Oui! Les bonnes gens semblent avoir disparu et les hommes ou femmes politiques qui ont contribué à changer la vie de l’être humain et la perception de l’autre ne sont qu’un souvenir dans la mémoire des Baby-boomers.
Toute une génération qui a connu des héros avec toute la signification que peut porter cette appellation va bientôt devenir orpheline après la disparition – dans de nombreuses années, je l’espère – de ce dernier des dinosaures, symboles du courage et des causes justes et qui ont réussi à changer le monde… je parle bien entendu de Nelson Mandela. Après lui, plus personne… ou y a-t-il encore un espoir de voir la relève?
The John F. Kennedy I Remember
Par John Parisella le 21 novembre 2013
Fifty years ago, I was entering university when a tragic event with worldwide repercussions occurred: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Many who lived through that day and the following three days can recall where they were, what they were doing and how they felt.
Besides the United States, Canadians probably felt the pain most vividly. JFK had visited us earlier in his presidency and described us as neighbors, allies, partners, and friends. No relationship was closer and more interdependent. He had effectively seduced us on that visit.
Dare To Care: A Testament To Memory And Witness
Par Beryl Wajsman le 21 novembre 2013
I think it is fair to state that what brought my colleagues and I into lifelong commitments to social advocacy was that we came to maturity during a period when we knew –viscerally - that the best people we would ever see in public life had been murdered. But it was not simply their killings that made us rage, though that would have been enough. It was not simply that the energy, charisma, eloquence and courage of Medgar and John, of Martin and Bobby had been ripped from us. It was the reason why these bold and resolute men found themselves in the line of fire. After all the theories of who or what killed them, it was really only one thing…they dared to care!
JFK: 50 YEARS AFTER – WHY HE STILL MATTERS
Par Beryl Wajsman le 19 novembre 2013
There could be no more poignant day to remind us all that submission to this bodyguard of lies is not a strategy against existential threat. A threat that has been driven as a stake into the hearts of almost every western capital over the past dozen years.
During Kennedy’s Presidency Europe threats of similar magnitude, though of different origin. Kennedy went to Berlin to address that threat and to send a message to the enemies of freedom. On a glorious June day in 1963, some five months before his murder, he delivered his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” address in Rudolph Wilde Platz facing the then recently constructed Berlin Wall.
40 ans après la guerre de Kippour et 20 ans après les Accords d’Oslo : vérités historiques et réflexions
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 25 septembre 2013
Jerusalem, Israel - Le general Moshe Dayan ministre de la Defense declarait en avril 1973: « Je ne crois pas que dans les dix prochaines annees, une nouvelle guerre eclatera avec les Arabes ». La guerre de Kippour est declenchee brusquement quelques mois plus tard, et Dayan evoque dans une allusion biblique la fin du troisieme Temple. En depit de certaines informations alarmantes et d’un serieux avertissement du roi Hussein de Jordanie sur un eventuel conflit arme, les Arabes ont surpris Israel pour la premiere fois. En ce jour du Grand Pardon les Israeliens ont vu la mort en face !
Puzzling Our Way Through Syria
Par David T. Jones le 25 septembre 2013
Washington, DC - When someone throws a drowning man a life line, he grabs it--and doesn’t worry whether it is firmly attached at the other end. Putin tossed such a rope to President Obama with his proposal to arrange international control of the Syrian government’s chemical weapons (CW) stockpile; the lifeline was accompanied by a sanctimonious op-ed in the New York Times.
It is not that Putin’s op-ed platitudes were entirely wrong, e.g., noting the United Nations as sanctioning agent for any military action other than self defense, but that he blithely ignored the many Moscow maneuvers to prevent UN collective action on Syria.
Obama hits the pause button on Syria
Par Robert Presser le 7 septembre 2013
After intelligence evidence emerged that Bashar Assad had used chemical weapons on his people, the Obama administration ramped up its military presence in the Mediterranean and initiated efforts to build an international coalition to attack key strategic sites in Syria. That was up until Friday August 30th. On Saturday afternoon, Obama and VP Joe Biden appeared in the Rose Garden and announced that the administration would seek Congressional approval to use US forces to attack Syria. A resolution was drafted and sent to Congress indicating that vital US security interests in the region are at stake, necessitating decisive action.
Syria: Playing the Waiting Game
Par David T. Jones le 7 septembre 2013
Washington, DC - Having yielded the Syria-missile strike portfolio to Congress, President Obama spent a few days in Russia for a G-20 meeting hosted by President Putin.
It might have been useful (albeit marginally) to meet with Putin over a range of bilateral issues on the periphery of the G-20. However, the president, in what must be considered virtually a fit of sandbox-level pique, earlier cancelled their meeting when Putin’s provided sanctuary/refugee status to Edward Snowden, who stole and released massive amounts of highly classified U.S. electronic intelligence data and collection plans/techniques.
Kristallnacht in Cairo--Prelude to a Christian Exodus?
Par David T. Jones le 28 août 2013
Washington, DC - Kristallnacht or “crystal night” or “night of broken glass” identifies the German attack on 
Jewish synagogues, properties, and homes on 9-10 November 1938. Virtually every synagogue in Nazi Germany and recently annexed Austria was comprehensively destroyed; looted and/or burned with tens of thousands of Jews beaten, abused, and imprisoned. Mercifully, the direct death toll was relatively small (officially 91), however, several thousand are believed to have committed suicide and/or died in the concentration camps, although most were released within a few months. Those who remained went back to the camps and their deaths later.
The day hope lived "Today we commemorate, tomorrow we agitate!"
Par Beryl Wajsman le 27 août 2013
On this day fifty years ago, America witnessed the largest public manifestation for the dignity of mankind it had ever seen. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, led by The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. saw 250,000 people descend on the Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Black and white, men and women, old and young, all faiths and all creeds. On that day we heard Dr. King deliver what is arguably the greatest piece of oratory in the English language. "I have a dream!" he thundered. And we all dreamt the same dream. No one - even if they were a child - who saw or heard it was left unmoved or unchanged. The words and the spirit swept us up on gossamer wings.
Beijing Commitment To :Reduce Dependency" On Organ Seizures Is Not Enough
Par The Hon. David Kilgour le 23 août 2013
Reuters news agency in Beijing reported on August 15 that the Chinese government has committed to “reduce dependency” on its longtime practice of seizing vital organs of prisoners for transplantation without setting a final deadline to end the commerce.
China is the only country on earth that systematically uses organs from persons convicted of capital offences and prisoners of conscience—usually convicted of nothing-- in transplant operations, a trafficking in organs that has drawn almost universal international condemnation.
Martin Luther King and modern America’s defining moment
Par John Parisella le 23 août 2013
Fifty years ago (August 28), Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his legacy “I have a dream” speech. Events are planned in Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, and elsewhere, commemorating this landmark address. Speakers are expected to highlight Dr. King’s philosophy for promoting change, how the civil rights movement and its accomplishments defined modern America, and the work that remains to be done. President Barack Obama will speak, honoring the work of Dr. King.
Five years ago, the Democratic Party chose as its nominee, Barack Obama, who went on to become the first African-American president. Hope and change were in the air.
An attack against Egyptian Society
Par Rev. Majid El-Shafie le 23 août 2013
As the situation in Egypt continues to unfold, the evening news continues to bring you stories of how hundreds of people have been killed over the past few days by Egyptian security forces firing live rounds against “peaceful demonstrators”. We cannot stress enough that we are against killing – we do not rejoice in the killing of any human being and certainly not innocent civilians. Moreover, we are not against Muslims – we are opposed to extremists. With this in mind, the news reports require some context and background.
L’union européenne brouille les cartes et s’embrouille avec Israël
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 30 juillet 2013
A chaque fois que le processus de paix avec les Palestiniens pietine ou se trouve dans une impasse, nous entendons a Bruxelles le meme son de cloche. Comme de coutume, la commission europeenne prefere entendre un seul son, et dans ce cas, il est bien difficile, voire quasiment impossible de juger equitablement toutes les parties dans ce conflit. Depuis plusieurs decennies nous nous sommes habitues au jugement partial, aux lecons de morale et a des avertissements, mais cette fois-ci, le double jeu est si transparent qu’il l’emporte sur la realite quotidienne. Avec maladresse, l’Union europeenne a brule les etapes du processus de paix, a brouille les cartes et a inflige un camouflet injustifie a Israel et aux Americains.
Démocratie arabe et l’Islam politique
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 6 juillet 2013
Jerusalem, Israel - L’Egypte plonge vers l’inconnu et l’incertitude s’aggrave dans la tourmente. Nous ne pouvons apporter ni contribution ni intervenir, et laissons donc les Egyptiens decider eux memes de leur propre avenir.
Certes, nous suivons les evenements en cours avec inquietude et nous avons l’impression que dans ce theatre de l’absurde nous assistons a une repetition de la chute de Moubarak. Il est incontestable que l’armee joue un role crucial et unique dans un monde arabe en ebullition. Contrairement a la Syrie les militaires en Egypte sont avec le peuple. Ils sont avant tout des patriotes sachant parfaitement maitriser la situation mais aussi savent diviser pour regner.
Another Look at the Snowden Saga
Par David T. Jones le 6 juillet 2013
Indeed, the panting media pursuit into the summer media doldrums suggests that what is a serious (alleged) criminal action and massive breach of USG intelligence security is devolving into farce. (Oh where, oh where will poor Edward find a place to lay his (allegedly) traitorous – or is it heroic?—head on a semi-permanent basis?)
First, the secret flight to Hong Kong; then followed by the adroit exit flight to Moscow (during which the Hong Kong officials managed to locate technical flaws in USG extradition documents preventing action against Snowden). And now…Moscow.
A Third-Way out of the Syrian Impasse
Par Rouba al-Fattal le 26 juin 2013
Ottawa- The latest move by President Obama to arm Syrian rebel groups is a clear indication that his administration is wandering aimlessly in the dark when it comes to the Syrian crisis. But as most political analysts can tell you, arming rebels in these types of conflicts is a doubled-edged sword.
One might then ask, is there an alternative to arming the rebels, or should the US just stand idly by and do nothing while thousands of innocent people are killed every day in this conflict? Framing the questions in this black-and-white fashion, either support for Assad or for the Syrian rebels, is not only misleading but unproductive. There is a third-way solution to the Syrian crisis which, at first glance, might appear so simple that it gets overlooked.
Of Water, Zionism, and Indigenous Rights
Par Ryan Bellerose le 26 juin 2013
An organization called Justice for Palestinians (JfP) is attempting to organize, in conjunction with the Council of Canadians, a public conference titled Indigenous Perspectives on Water: Canada and Palestine. The objective is clearly to portray Palestinian and native rights issues as one and the same. Indeed, it has come to my attention that JFP is seeking a native speaker to participate in the conference and, ideally, one from Idle No More (INM), a native rights movement in which I have been active.
La victoire de Rohani : un cadeau empoisonné pour l’Occident
Par Amb. Freddy Eytan le 16 juin 2013
La victoire imprevue d’Hassan Rohani et la participation massive des Iraniens aux elections prouvent que les sanctions occidentales imposees a Teheran sont douloureuses et efficaces. Le peuple iranien souhaite vraiment le changement et a ras-le bol de l’isolement de son pays dans l’arene internationale. Il a trop souffert de la politique desastreuse mene ces dernieres annees par le grotesque et l’extravagant illumine Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
