BDS movement only divides us

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Ontario’s legislature struck a real and meaningful blow against anti-Semitism Thursday by endorsing a motion to condemn the anti-Israel BDS movement.

BDS stands for “boycott, divestment and sanctions.” It’s a Palestinian-led movement that has attempted to persuade individuals, unions, universities, community groups and governments around the world to apply economic and political pressure against Israel – by targeting Israeli companies.

Its purported goal is to influence peace and stability in the region, but in reality the group demonizes Israel – for example, by comparing the democracy to 20th century Apartheid South Africa – and employs divisive tactics to isolate Israel internationally.

The motion adopted by Ontario MPPs Thursday, promoted by Thornhill Conservative MPP Gila Martow, recognizes BDS as a movement that encourages “hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism and intolerance” and promotes “the differential treatment of Israel.”

Regrettably, the NDP chose to vote against the motion, which in our view is a vote for intolerance.

The motion itself calls on Ontario legislators to “stand firmly against any position or movement that promotes or encourages any form of hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism and intolerance in any way; recognize the longstanding, vibrant and mutually beneficial political, economic and cultural ties between Ontario and Israel, built on a foundation of shared liberal democratic values; endorse the Ottawa Protocol on Combating Antisemitism; and reject the differential treatment of Israel, including the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.”

We support this motion. And every province in Canada should consider something similar.

Earlier this year the Parliament of Canada passed a Conservative-led motion also condemning the BDS movement. With the support of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Liberals, the motion passed by a margin of 221 to 51.

The federal motion correctly noted that what makes BDS so problematic isn’t that its criticism of Israel. Rather, as it notes, that this group specifically “promotes the demonization and delegitimization of the State of Israel.”

While the Ontario motion was put forward by a Progressive Conservative MPP, it was supported by Liberals too. Cabinet minister Steven Del Duca made a public show of his support, posting to social media that “Ontario does not support the BDS Movement or any other that divides us.”

BDS movement only divides us

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