Independent Jewish Voices (Canada) - First National Conference

First National Conference

The Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians along with independent activists held a national Independent Jewish Canadians Conference on March 28-30, 2008 with Naomi Klein as its keynote speaker. The participants affirmed their support for international law, its opposition to all forms or racism (including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia), and pledged to counter the view that any criticism of Israel's government and military policies is automatically racist. Specifically, IJV(C) opposed the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza which commenced in 1967. The Principles adopted at the conference support the view that:

"There is no justification for any form of racism, including anti-Semitism, anti-Arab racism or Islamophobia, in any circumstance. The battle against anti-Semitism is vital, and it is undermined whenever opposition to Israeli government policies is automatically branded as anti-Semitic."

The conference passed a resolution creating an interim steering committee that would found a national progressive Jewish organization. The steering committee adopted the name Independent Jewish Voices (Canada) shortly afterwards. ACJC co-founder Eibie Weizfeld split with the new group and continues to lead an organization called ACJC which is unconnected with IJV.

The seven stated goals of IJV(C) are:

  1. To give Jewish Canadians an alternative that works for peace and justice
  2. To challenge the Jewish establishment's views on the Middle East
  3. To open up discussion about Israeli government and military actions
  4. To support the right of Canadians to discuss Israeli policies without fear of being accused of anti-Semitism
  5. To promote contacts with Muslims and Arabs in Canada and to demonstrate that we can work together for peace
  6. To oppose wars of aggression
  7. To work in solidarity with the peace movements and war resisters within Israel

Read more about this topic:  Independent Jewish Voices (Canada)

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