Mr. Harper, Please Do Not Speak on my Behalf

Mr. Harper is receiving his honorary doctorate  from Tel Aviv University today. In what, I wonder - Comparative Colonial Studies? This farcical ceremony took place after a bird sanctuary was named after him. The birds may be protected and permitted to fly freely while the Palestinians are locked down in Gaza, forced into bantustans in the West Bank, and have their homes demolished in East Jerusalem.

He is serenading Mr. Netanyahu with the Beatles' "Hey Jude". Has this man any sense of the catastrophic conditions that traumatize Palestinians on a daily basis? Does he push human suffering aside in favour of trade deals and garnering votes back home?

In today's paper, Mr. Harper says his uncritical support of Israeli policy is backed by Canadians. "Our position is not an Israeli position or a Palestinian position. It is a Canadian position of principle supported by the overwhelming majority of Canadians". Really? He made these comments to Mr. Abbas. This kind of cynical, hostile attitude does nothing to build trust, and certainly does not bring us closer to seeing a just peace in the Middle East.

 And, Mr. Harper - as a Canadian, I don't support your position.

Peace Process Puzzle

In face of numerous apparent obstacles confronting the peace process, it seems to me that the pieces of the puzzle really fall into place rather simply. The oppressed justifiably resist the oppressor. Peace without justice and respect for human rights is farcical. Apartheid is a crime. Military occupation thwarts human dignity and the quest for self determination.