March 21, 2023
Anne Marie Owens, Editor
The Toronto Star
Re: column by Martin Regg Cohn, March 17, 2023
Dear Ms Owens;
Martin Regg Cohn did a superb job describing the antisemitism too frequently displayed by the Ontario NDP, which has yet to generate a significant response from Party Leader, Marit Stiles.
The NDP must take stock, conduct a full assessment of its recurring antisemitism, noting that denigrating, demonizing and holding Israel to a double standard is antisemitic as defined by the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.
The NDP must provide more education to sitting members and all candidates, and cease endangering Jews with the lies and bigotry expressed by individuals such as recently elected Hamilton Centre MPP, Sarah Jama. While Jama apologized for hurtful words she spoke, her apology is inadequate. She said at a Toronto protest; “It’s fine that, you know, Israel’s illegitimate.” “The same people will continue to fund the killing of people here locally and globally.”
Jama must acknowledge Israel’s legal and moral right to exist, and address her core beliefs that are predicated on lies about Israel. Israel is the ONLY state in the Middle East that is democratic, operates under the Rule of Law, recognizes the rights of ALL citizens, leads the way in disability advocacy and services, and hosts annual Pride Parades. Jama needs to acknowledge that the phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” is a call for the total elimination of Israel. Ie genocide of the Jewish people!
Freedom for Palestinian Arabs will come when they are free of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, and the other terrorist organizations that control their lives.
We await an honest and sincere change of heart from Sarah Jama and the Ontario NDP.
Sincerely,
Andria Spindel,
Executive Director