Canada-Israel Committee: Difference between revisions
Added section on mission statements |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
== Formational History == |
== Formational History == |
||
Jewish immigration of the late 19<sup>th</sup> and early 20<sup>th</sup> centuries brought to Canada the diversity of Zionist thought, which led to the creation of several Zionist parties. Uniting these parties was difficult because each had considerable vertical integration, from international support to national and local activity.< |
Jewish immigration of the late 19<sup>th</sup> and early 20<sup>th</sup> centuries brought to Canada the diversity of Zionist thought, which led to the creation of several Zionist parties. Uniting these parties was difficult because each had considerable vertical integration, from international support to national and local activity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Foreign policy and ethnic interest groups: American and Canadian Jews lobby for Israel|last=Howard Goldberg|first=David|publisher=Greenwood Press|year=1990|isbn=0-313-26850-9|location=|pages=30-40}}</ref> Only by way of World War II and the [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate]] of Palestine, was lasting cooperation achieved.<ref name=":0" /> A common solidarity to Israel united Canadian Jewry past its divisions, establishing a precedent that would lead to the beginning of the CIC. |
||
The decades following the British Mandate saw a consolidation of Zionism in Canada. By the 1960s, several pan-Zionist organizations had been created, including the Zionist Public Affairs Committee, the Committee for Emergency Aid to Israel, and the Joint Public Relations Committee. Most of these groups were maintained on an ad hoc basis, often emerging in response to significant events in Israel.< |
The decades following the British Mandate saw a consolidation of Zionism in Canada. By the 1960s, several pan-Zionist organizations had been created, including the Zionist Public Affairs Committee, the Committee for Emergency Aid to Israel, and the Joint Public Relations Committee. Most of these groups were maintained on an ad hoc basis, often emerging in response to significant events in Israel.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
In 1967, the Joint Public Relations Committee evolved into the Canada-Israel Committee.< |
In 1967, the Joint Public Relations Committee evolved into the Canada-Israel Committee.<ref name=":0" /> The new committee was authorized by public mandate to represent Israeli interests before the Canadian Parliament, public, and media. But most importantly, the CIC was designed to link Canadian Jews to the halls of power in Ottawa. |
||
== Early Years == |
== Early Years == |
||
The CIC underwent difficulties in its first years of operation. It was briefly disbanded in 1971 when its funding partners could not reconcile differing visions. Later in 1971, the CIC was restored. Under the leadership of Myer Bick, the CIC secured funding from B’nai Brith and hired personnel at its [[Montreal]] location.< |
The CIC underwent difficulties in its first years of operation. It was briefly disbanded in 1971 when its funding partners could not reconcile differing visions. Later in 1971, the CIC was restored. Under the leadership of Myer Bick, the CIC secured funding from B’nai Brith and hired personnel at its [[Montreal]] location.<ref name=":0" /> The Canadian Jewish Congress and the Canadian Zionist Federation later became funding partners to the CIC.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
The 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]] compelled the CIC to magnify its reach to better service Israel in its time of need. It added a French-speaking division at its Montreal office and launched new offices in Toronto and Ottawa.< |
The 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]] compelled the CIC to magnify its reach to better service Israel in its time of need. It added a French-speaking division at its Montreal office and launched new offices in Toronto and Ottawa.<ref name=":0" /> The CIC was thrust to the forefront of policy making by Canada’s desire to support [[Israel]] in the conflict. Because the war placed the CIC at the epicenter of Canadian decision making, the committee used its newfound influence to advance an Israel-centric foreign policy within Canada.<ref name=":0" /> The CIC’s Toronto office performed Middle East research and published pertinent information to the news media, and the Ottawa branch focused lobbying efforts on the Canadian Parliament.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Lyon|first=Peyton|date=Winter 1992-1993|title=The Canada Israel Committee and Canada's Middle East Policy|url=|journal=Journal of Canadian Studies|volume=27|pages=5-25|via=Project MUSE}}</ref> |
||
== Activity == |
== Activity == |
||
CIC lobbying efforts directed toward the Canadian federal government came in a variety of arrangements. Most popular among these were mailed letters, petitions, and phone calls to members of parliament. The CIC further employed “advertisements, demonstrations, and whisper campaigns…”< |
CIC lobbying efforts directed toward the Canadian federal government came in a variety of arrangements. Most popular among these were mailed letters, petitions, and phone calls to members of parliament. The CIC further employed “advertisements, demonstrations, and whisper campaigns…”<ref name=":1" /> With the intent to brief government officials, the CIC published a biweekly communiqué entitled ''The Middle East Digest'' to members of Parliament and senior staff. Widely regarded as reputable, the brief examined Middle Eastern current events, ongoing Canadian policy, and suggested recommendations moving forward.<ref name=":1" /> The brief, tailored for busy members of Parliament (MPs), was professionally designed with analysis both on Israel and the larger Middle East. The CIC hoped to garner additional support for Israel amongst MPs with the convenience of its briefs. Moreover, the CIC invited select MPs and members of the media to attend annual trips to Israel.<sup>[2]</sup>CIC outreach to back-benchers and new MPs was personalized to parallel the values of Canadian parties with which it interacted. Reaching out to new MPs was seen as a generational investment in support for Israel. Doing this allowed the CIC to build and sustain ties across political persuasions.<ref name=":0" /> The CIC firmly believed that the backbenchers of today could become the Prime Ministers of tomorrow. Regardless of which party held power, the CIC sought enduring positive Canada-Israel relations.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
The CIC made great strides to cultivate an image of reliability and expertise with the Department of External Affairs. On policy relating to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the CIC used its relations with the Department to steer policy decisions. Former Department officials attested to the CIC’s ability to shape policy, especially when Israel faced external conflict.< |
The CIC made great strides to cultivate an image of reliability and expertise with the Department of External Affairs. On policy relating to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the CIC used its relations with the Department to steer policy decisions. Former Department officials attested to the CIC’s ability to shape policy, especially when Israel faced external conflict.<ref name=":0" /> The CIC met several times per year with cabinet officials and occasionally with the prime minister. Lobbies were sent out most consistently to the Secretary of State for External Affairs, and depending on developments in the Middle East, would meet through more informal channels.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
To produce a government more receptive to its lobbying, the CIC issued soft warnings to MPs who voted counter to their positions. These warnings included reminding MPs the strength of individual Jewish voters in crucial swing districts and the financial power held by Jewish elites. The CIC was a reluctant actor in electoral politics. Local organization was predominantly in charge of informing Jewish voters who were allies to their cause and who were not.< |
To produce a government more receptive to its lobbying, the CIC issued soft warnings to MPs who voted counter to their positions. These warnings included reminding MPs the strength of individual Jewish voters in crucial swing districts and the financial power held by Jewish elites. The CIC was a reluctant actor in electoral politics. Local organization was predominantly in charge of informing Jewish voters who were allies to their cause and who were not.<ref name=":1" /> The national organization largely avoided political campaigns, leaving donations to private individuals. Instead, the CIC sought positive working relationships regardless of the party in power.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
Beyond lobbying, the CIC was active in the Jewish community with its circulation of research, policy memorandums, and handbooks. Every year, the CIC hosted a large conference highlighting their work. All Jews were invited, and they could connect with both politicians and organizational leadership to advance CIC’s mission and scope. Lastly, the CIC constructed a networking platform for Jewish industrial leaders, academia, and activists. Leadership workshops were sporadically made available for these individuals.< |
Beyond lobbying, the CIC was active in the Jewish community with its circulation of research, policy memorandums, and handbooks. Every year, the CIC hosted a large conference highlighting their work. All Jews were invited, and they could connect with both politicians and organizational leadership to advance CIC’s mission and scope. Lastly, the CIC constructed a networking platform for Jewish industrial leaders, academia, and activists. Leadership workshops were sporadically made available for these individuals.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
Canadian Jews were, and remain, very active political participants. The CIC channeled this activism into influence through its platform off speaking for Canadian Jewry writ large. Because the CIC’s scope amalgamated the whole of Canadian Jewry into one, the diversity within the organization was immense, and consequently, the necessity to maintain a public face of unity was paramount. While disagreements were inevitable, they generally arose from differences of opinion on tactics, such as lobbying efforts, and not actual policy. CIC largely internalized these discrepancies and avoided commenting on topics that would divide the organization’s cohesion, for example, counseling or rebuking Israel.< |
Canadian Jews were, and remain, very active political participants. The CIC channeled this activism into influence through its platform off speaking for Canadian Jewry writ large. Because the CIC’s scope amalgamated the whole of Canadian Jewry into one, the diversity within the organization was immense, and consequently, the necessity to maintain a public face of unity was paramount. While disagreements were inevitable, they generally arose from differences of opinion on tactics, such as lobbying efforts, and not actual policy. CIC largely internalized these discrepancies and avoided commenting on topics that would divide the organization’s cohesion, for example, counseling or rebuking Israel.<ref name=":1" /> Conversely, when policy was the point of division within the Jewish community, the CIC attempted to soothe disagreements by charting a middle course. One such incident arose from the first Palestinian Intifada, beginning in 1987. The event markedly split the ideological ends of Canadian Jewry into polarized camps comprising of the political right and left. Their respective passions for supporting Israel and maintaining peace overwhelmed conciliatory efforts by the CIC to bridge the divide. The CIC wanted a compromise between both sides, but this led to each side roundly criticizing the CIC. Both the left and right perceived the CIC favoring the other side, and simultaneously, mainstream Jewry resented the CIC’s incapacity to forge consensus.<ref name=":0" /> Preserving intra-communal harmony was a consistent challenge the CIC faced throughout its existence. |
||
Satisfying sponsoring partners was difficult because beliefs about responses or policy varied even within the CIC’s donor base. Resolving these contradictions diverted time and effort from lobbying efforts.< |
Satisfying sponsoring partners was difficult because beliefs about responses or policy varied even within the CIC’s donor base. Resolving these contradictions diverted time and effort from lobbying efforts.<ref name=":0" /> A notable example of this occurred in 1979. Canada’s embassy in Israel was located in [[Tel Aviv]], but there were calls to relocate it to [[Jerusalem]]. [[Joe Clark]], a past leader of the Progressive Conservative party, was particularly in favor of the move. Intra-communal Jewish tensions swelled over this issue. While the embassy remained in Tel Aviv, the strains over the embassy location threatened to upend the CIC.<ref name=":0" /> Yet, the CIC persisted out of an innate obligation to unity, to both Canadian Jewry and the plight of Israel.<ref name=":0" /> |
||
== Case Studies into the CIC and Canadian Middle East Policy == |
|||
=== Yom Kippur War -- October, 1973 === |
|||
The Arab-Israeli War and lobbying by the CIC did not sway the Canadian government or populace drastically in favor of Israel.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Foreign policy and ethnic interest groups|last=Howard Goldberg|first=David|publisher=Greenwood Press|year=1990|isbn=0-313-26850-9|location=|pages=101-158}}</ref> The CIC sought for Canada to directly condemn the Arabs states for attacking Israel, but for a number of reasons, this goal was never realized.<ref name=":2" /> First, the CIC was still very young, underfunded, and unknown. Structurally, the CIC had little organization and unclear prioritization of goals. Constituent organizations of the CIC, among them the Canadian Zionist Federation, were far more established politically and opted to circumvent the CIC by lobbying the government directly. This fractured coordination, weakening the CIC’s effectiveness vis-á-vis the Canadian federal government. Second, Canadian politics was resistant to favoring sides in ethnic divisions. The mold of supporting Israel was historically unfounded in Canada’s foreign policy for fear of alienating other groups.<ref name=":2" /> And finally, Canada did not feel the same fervor for Israel as did its Jewish citizens. For Israel supporters, the war was perceived as an existential crisis for Israel; however, Canadian government officials could not be swayed to feel the same. A 1973 Gallup poll found approximately 73 percent of respondents to have no inclination toward either the Israelis or Arabs.<ref name=":2" /> Canada’s indifference on the matter permeated through both society and politics, and the CIC’s inexperience could not reverse this fact. |
|||
=== '''Arab Economic Boycott of Israel in Canada''' === |
|||
Following the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Arab nations launched a joint economic boycott of Israel. In response, the CIC employed its energies in a manner becoming of a mature ethnic interest group.<ref name=":2" /> The CIC lobbied department officials, members of Parliament, and cabinet heads. Further, the CIC was able to bend the political debate in its favor by highlighting the larger inequities of Arab trade practices on Canadians. Support for Israel, the CIC argued, went hand-in-hand with improving civil and human rights of Canadians.<ref name=":2" /> In doing so, the CIC “gain[ed] the sympathy and support of wide segments of the public” by underscoring its significance to Canada.<ref name=":2" /> Garnering this level of support bolstered the likelihood with which the Canadian federal government would respond to public will and address the Arab boycott. |
|||
Internal restructuring and a larger budget enhanced the CIC's prominence within Canada’s Jewish community. The CIC was “the unchallenged voice of Canadian Jews in matters concerning Israel,” which licensed the CIC to be the premier representative for Canadian Jews regarding the boycott.<ref name=":2" /> Determined lobbying influenced the framing of a government response toward the best interest of Canadians. Public opinion leaned in favor of ending the boycott, and additionally, media reporting was sympathetic to the CIC’s position. This projected the CIC’s messaging far beyond its own reach and was widely attributed to the degree of success achieved by Canadian Jewry.<ref name=":2" /> |
|||
Because of concerns that opposing the boycott would endanger Canadian relations with Arab states, the government under Prime Minister [[Pierre Trudeau]] employed delay tactics on proposed legislation. Corporate lobbies warned against economic retaliation from Arab states that would harm business. These factors negated the CIC’s momentum on the issue and ultimately prevented anti-boycott legislation from becoming law. The CIC’s influence, despite its impetus, marginally affected the final outcome. |
|||
=== '''The Lebanon War of 1982''' === |
|||
Israel’s invasion into southern Lebanon caused disillusionment within Canada over its disposition toward Israel. Prime Minister Trudeau became quite critical of Israeli actions. He penned a letter to [[Menachem Begin]] calling for the removal of Israeli forces while issuing support for the Lebanese government.<ref name=":2" /> Initially, the CIC stepped into the fold to argue that Israel was justified in its invasion and Canada should, at the very least, take a hands-off approach to the matter. Even though the CIC was heavily engaged with lobbying, the offensive nature of Israel’s actions negated the CIC’s capacity to make headway on its agenda. In several interviews post-war, top CIC officials admitted they were effectively left to defend unjustifiable military operations.<ref name=":2" /> When it became apparent PM Trudeau would not budge, the CIC implemented a damage control strategy over Canadian policy in the Middle East.<ref name=":2" /> This mainly comprised of lobbying at the highest levels of the [[Department of External Affairs]]. While its efforts could not turn Canada back against the prevailing tide of separation from Israel, it served to delay stronger Canadian-Arab relations from forming until 1989, when Canada would expand diplomatic ties with the Palestine Liberation Organization.<ref name=":2" /> In sum, the CIC was hamstrung by events beyond its control that made operability within Canada’s political system difficult. |
|||
== Mission Statement == |
== Mission Statement == |
||
| Line 83: | Line 98: | ||
· To work in concert with all fair-minded and tolerant individuals and groups in Canada and abroad to counter the myths, inaccuracies and oversimplifications concerning Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict |
· To work in concert with all fair-minded and tolerant individuals and groups in Canada and abroad to counter the myths, inaccuracies and oversimplifications concerning Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict |
||
· To support all efforts within the Jewish community to celebrate Israel, the Jewish people and the realization of their timeless aspirations of Zionism: the return of the Jewish people to their aboriginal homeland as a free and democratic nation.”< |
· To support all efforts within the Jewish community to celebrate Israel, the Jewish people and the realization of their timeless aspirations of Zionism: the return of the Jewish people to their aboriginal homeland as a free and democratic nation.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620060415/http://cicweb.ca/about/mission.cfm|title=Canada-Israel Committee: Mission Statement|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> |
||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
Revision as of 00:12, 26 April 2019
.jpg) Logo of the Canada-Israel Committee | |
| Abbreviation | CIC |
|---|---|
| Type | Organizations based in Canada |
| Legal status | defunct |
| Purpose | advocate and public voice, educator and network |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Region served | Canada |
Official language | English, French, Also Hebrew |
Parent organization | Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy |
| Affiliations | UIA Federations Canada |
The Canada-Israel Committee (CIC) was the official representative of the organized Canadian Jewish community on matters pertaining to Canada-Israel relations.
The Canada-Israel Committee maintained offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Israel, and was affiliated with the Quebec-Israel Committee. Its staff consisted of experts in government policy, communications, Arab-Israeli relations and Middle East affairs, and Canadian Middle East policy.
Due to a restructuring of Jewish community bodies, effective July 1, 2011, the CIC ceased operations and its responsibilities were assumed by its parent organization, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
Funding
CIC was funded by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy arm of Jewish Federations of Canada - UIA.
Programming
The CIC was devoted to the promotion of increased understanding between the peoples of Canada and Israel. It is a non-partisan, voluntary, non-profit organization that enjoys the support of Canadians from all walks of life. In seeking to enhance Canada-Israel friendship, the CIC liaised with government, media, business and the academic sector, often submitting briefs and providing background analyses on matters of public policy. In addition, it sponsored seminars, conferences and other types of educational programming in Canada, and organized study missions to Israel.
Formational History
Jewish immigration of the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought to Canada the diversity of Zionist thought, which led to the creation of several Zionist parties. Uniting these parties was difficult because each had considerable vertical integration, from international support to national and local activity.[1] Only by way of World War II and the British Mandate of Palestine, was lasting cooperation achieved.[1] A common solidarity to Israel united Canadian Jewry past its divisions, establishing a precedent that would lead to the beginning of the CIC.
The decades following the British Mandate saw a consolidation of Zionism in Canada. By the 1960s, several pan-Zionist organizations had been created, including the Zionist Public Affairs Committee, the Committee for Emergency Aid to Israel, and the Joint Public Relations Committee. Most of these groups were maintained on an ad hoc basis, often emerging in response to significant events in Israel.[1]
In 1967, the Joint Public Relations Committee evolved into the Canada-Israel Committee.[1] The new committee was authorized by public mandate to represent Israeli interests before the Canadian Parliament, public, and media. But most importantly, the CIC was designed to link Canadian Jews to the halls of power in Ottawa.
Early Years
The CIC underwent difficulties in its first years of operation. It was briefly disbanded in 1971 when its funding partners could not reconcile differing visions. Later in 1971, the CIC was restored. Under the leadership of Myer Bick, the CIC secured funding from B’nai Brith and hired personnel at its Montreal location.[1] The Canadian Jewish Congress and the Canadian Zionist Federation later became funding partners to the CIC.[1]
The 1973 Yom Kippur War compelled the CIC to magnify its reach to better service Israel in its time of need. It added a French-speaking division at its Montreal office and launched new offices in Toronto and Ottawa.[1] The CIC was thrust to the forefront of policy making by Canada’s desire to support Israel in the conflict. Because the war placed the CIC at the epicenter of Canadian decision making, the committee used its newfound influence to advance an Israel-centric foreign policy within Canada.[1] The CIC’s Toronto office performed Middle East research and published pertinent information to the news media, and the Ottawa branch focused lobbying efforts on the Canadian Parliament.[2]
Activity
CIC lobbying efforts directed toward the Canadian federal government came in a variety of arrangements. Most popular among these were mailed letters, petitions, and phone calls to members of parliament. The CIC further employed “advertisements, demonstrations, and whisper campaigns…”[2] With the intent to brief government officials, the CIC published a biweekly communiqué entitled The Middle East Digest to members of Parliament and senior staff. Widely regarded as reputable, the brief examined Middle Eastern current events, ongoing Canadian policy, and suggested recommendations moving forward.[2] The brief, tailored for busy members of Parliament (MPs), was professionally designed with analysis both on Israel and the larger Middle East. The CIC hoped to garner additional support for Israel amongst MPs with the convenience of its briefs. Moreover, the CIC invited select MPs and members of the media to attend annual trips to Israel.[2]CIC outreach to back-benchers and new MPs was personalized to parallel the values of Canadian parties with which it interacted. Reaching out to new MPs was seen as a generational investment in support for Israel. Doing this allowed the CIC to build and sustain ties across political persuasions.[1] The CIC firmly believed that the backbenchers of today could become the Prime Ministers of tomorrow. Regardless of which party held power, the CIC sought enduring positive Canada-Israel relations.[1]
The CIC made great strides to cultivate an image of reliability and expertise with the Department of External Affairs. On policy relating to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the CIC used its relations with the Department to steer policy decisions. Former Department officials attested to the CIC’s ability to shape policy, especially when Israel faced external conflict.[1] The CIC met several times per year with cabinet officials and occasionally with the prime minister. Lobbies were sent out most consistently to the Secretary of State for External Affairs, and depending on developments in the Middle East, would meet through more informal channels.[1]
To produce a government more receptive to its lobbying, the CIC issued soft warnings to MPs who voted counter to their positions. These warnings included reminding MPs the strength of individual Jewish voters in crucial swing districts and the financial power held by Jewish elites. The CIC was a reluctant actor in electoral politics. Local organization was predominantly in charge of informing Jewish voters who were allies to their cause and who were not.[2] The national organization largely avoided political campaigns, leaving donations to private individuals. Instead, the CIC sought positive working relationships regardless of the party in power.[1]
Beyond lobbying, the CIC was active in the Jewish community with its circulation of research, policy memorandums, and handbooks. Every year, the CIC hosted a large conference highlighting their work. All Jews were invited, and they could connect with both politicians and organizational leadership to advance CIC’s mission and scope. Lastly, the CIC constructed a networking platform for Jewish industrial leaders, academia, and activists. Leadership workshops were sporadically made available for these individuals.[1]
Canadian Jews were, and remain, very active political participants. The CIC channeled this activism into influence through its platform off speaking for Canadian Jewry writ large. Because the CIC’s scope amalgamated the whole of Canadian Jewry into one, the diversity within the organization was immense, and consequently, the necessity to maintain a public face of unity was paramount. While disagreements were inevitable, they generally arose from differences of opinion on tactics, such as lobbying efforts, and not actual policy. CIC largely internalized these discrepancies and avoided commenting on topics that would divide the organization’s cohesion, for example, counseling or rebuking Israel.[2] Conversely, when policy was the point of division within the Jewish community, the CIC attempted to soothe disagreements by charting a middle course. One such incident arose from the first Palestinian Intifada, beginning in 1987. The event markedly split the ideological ends of Canadian Jewry into polarized camps comprising of the political right and left. Their respective passions for supporting Israel and maintaining peace overwhelmed conciliatory efforts by the CIC to bridge the divide. The CIC wanted a compromise between both sides, but this led to each side roundly criticizing the CIC. Both the left and right perceived the CIC favoring the other side, and simultaneously, mainstream Jewry resented the CIC’s incapacity to forge consensus.[1] Preserving intra-communal harmony was a consistent challenge the CIC faced throughout its existence.
Satisfying sponsoring partners was difficult because beliefs about responses or policy varied even within the CIC’s donor base. Resolving these contradictions diverted time and effort from lobbying efforts.[1] A notable example of this occurred in 1979. Canada’s embassy in Israel was located in Tel Aviv, but there were calls to relocate it to Jerusalem. Joe Clark, a past leader of the Progressive Conservative party, was particularly in favor of the move. Intra-communal Jewish tensions swelled over this issue. While the embassy remained in Tel Aviv, the strains over the embassy location threatened to upend the CIC.[1] Yet, the CIC persisted out of an innate obligation to unity, to both Canadian Jewry and the plight of Israel.[1]
Case Studies into the CIC and Canadian Middle East Policy
Yom Kippur War -- October, 1973
The Arab-Israeli War and lobbying by the CIC did not sway the Canadian government or populace drastically in favor of Israel.[3] The CIC sought for Canada to directly condemn the Arabs states for attacking Israel, but for a number of reasons, this goal was never realized.[3] First, the CIC was still very young, underfunded, and unknown. Structurally, the CIC had little organization and unclear prioritization of goals. Constituent organizations of the CIC, among them the Canadian Zionist Federation, were far more established politically and opted to circumvent the CIC by lobbying the government directly. This fractured coordination, weakening the CIC’s effectiveness vis-á-vis the Canadian federal government. Second, Canadian politics was resistant to favoring sides in ethnic divisions. The mold of supporting Israel was historically unfounded in Canada’s foreign policy for fear of alienating other groups.[3] And finally, Canada did not feel the same fervor for Israel as did its Jewish citizens. For Israel supporters, the war was perceived as an existential crisis for Israel; however, Canadian government officials could not be swayed to feel the same. A 1973 Gallup poll found approximately 73 percent of respondents to have no inclination toward either the Israelis or Arabs.[3] Canada’s indifference on the matter permeated through both society and politics, and the CIC’s inexperience could not reverse this fact.
Arab Economic Boycott of Israel in Canada
Following the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Arab nations launched a joint economic boycott of Israel. In response, the CIC employed its energies in a manner becoming of a mature ethnic interest group.[3] The CIC lobbied department officials, members of Parliament, and cabinet heads. Further, the CIC was able to bend the political debate in its favor by highlighting the larger inequities of Arab trade practices on Canadians. Support for Israel, the CIC argued, went hand-in-hand with improving civil and human rights of Canadians.[3] In doing so, the CIC “gain[ed] the sympathy and support of wide segments of the public” by underscoring its significance to Canada.[3] Garnering this level of support bolstered the likelihood with which the Canadian federal government would respond to public will and address the Arab boycott.
Internal restructuring and a larger budget enhanced the CIC's prominence within Canada’s Jewish community. The CIC was “the unchallenged voice of Canadian Jews in matters concerning Israel,” which licensed the CIC to be the premier representative for Canadian Jews regarding the boycott.[3] Determined lobbying influenced the framing of a government response toward the best interest of Canadians. Public opinion leaned in favor of ending the boycott, and additionally, media reporting was sympathetic to the CIC’s position. This projected the CIC’s messaging far beyond its own reach and was widely attributed to the degree of success achieved by Canadian Jewry.[3]
Because of concerns that opposing the boycott would endanger Canadian relations with Arab states, the government under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau employed delay tactics on proposed legislation. Corporate lobbies warned against economic retaliation from Arab states that would harm business. These factors negated the CIC’s momentum on the issue and ultimately prevented anti-boycott legislation from becoming law. The CIC’s influence, despite its impetus, marginally affected the final outcome.
The Lebanon War of 1982
Israel’s invasion into southern Lebanon caused disillusionment within Canada over its disposition toward Israel. Prime Minister Trudeau became quite critical of Israeli actions. He penned a letter to Menachem Begin calling for the removal of Israeli forces while issuing support for the Lebanese government.[3] Initially, the CIC stepped into the fold to argue that Israel was justified in its invasion and Canada should, at the very least, take a hands-off approach to the matter. Even though the CIC was heavily engaged with lobbying, the offensive nature of Israel’s actions negated the CIC’s capacity to make headway on its agenda. In several interviews post-war, top CIC officials admitted they were effectively left to defend unjustifiable military operations.[3] When it became apparent PM Trudeau would not budge, the CIC implemented a damage control strategy over Canadian policy in the Middle East.[3] This mainly comprised of lobbying at the highest levels of the Department of External Affairs. While its efforts could not turn Canada back against the prevailing tide of separation from Israel, it served to delay stronger Canadian-Arab relations from forming until 1989, when Canada would expand diplomatic ties with the Palestine Liberation Organization.[3] In sum, the CIC was hamstrung by events beyond its control that made operability within Canada’s political system difficult.
Mission Statement
The various missions of the Canada-Israel Committee were:
· “To advance a strong and dynamic relationship between the peoples of Canada and Israel
· To make the Canadian public sensitive to Israel's perspective on Arab-Israel relations
· To help facilitate increased collaboration between Canada and Israel in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East
· To articulate to the Canadian government and the media our concern regarding unfair treatment of Israel in all fora and to communicate the Jewish community's perspective on developments affecting Israel
· To work in concert with all fair-minded and tolerant individuals and groups in Canada and abroad to counter the myths, inaccuracies and oversimplifications concerning Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict
· To support all efforts within the Jewish community to celebrate Israel, the Jewish people and the realization of their timeless aspirations of Zionism: the return of the Jewish people to their aboriginal homeland as a free and democratic nation.”[4]
External links
Further reading
David Howard Goldberg, Foreign policy and ethnic interest groups: American and Canadian Jews lobby for Israel, (1990), Chapter 3, The Canada-Israel Committee: History, Mandate, and Organizational Structure
See also
- Canadian Jewish Congress
- B'nai Brith Canada
- Independent Jewish Voices (Canada)
- Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Howard Goldberg, David (1990). Foreign policy and ethnic interest groups: American and Canadian Jews lobby for Israel. Greenwood Press. pp. 30–40. ISBN 0-313-26850-9.
- ^ a b c d e Lyon, Peyton (Winter 1992–1993). "The Canada Israel Committee and Canada's Middle East Policy". Journal of Canadian Studies. 27: 5–25 – via Project MUSE.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Howard Goldberg, David (1990). Foreign policy and ethnic interest groups. Greenwood Press. pp. 101–158. ISBN 0-313-26850-9.
- ^ "Canada-Israel Committee: Mission Statement".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help)
- Tulchinsky, Gerald. Taking Root: The Origins of the Canadian Jewish Community. Toronto, Ont: Lester Pub., 1992.
- Abella, Irving. A Coat of Many Colours: Two Centuries of Jewish Life in Canada. Toronto: Lester Pub., 1990.
 | This article about a subject related to a Jewish organization is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about an organization in Canada is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
.jpeg){kind=small} | This article about a political organization is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |