TORONTO — The Ontario Legislature voted unanimously last week to condemn Israeli Apartheid Week, based on a motion introduced by Peter Shurman, Conservative MPP for Thornhill.

Peter Shurman

Passage of the resolution “sends a clear message to Ontarians and the rest of the world that use of the term ‘apartheid,’ in relation to the state of Israel, borders on hate speech, and… the events staged during Israeli Apartheid Week have no place in Ontario, particularly on its university campuses,” Shurman said in a statement.

“‘Israeli Apartheid Week’ is just code for ‘We hate Israel, and we don’t want it to exist,’” he told The CJN.

Shurman, who is Jewish, said he doesn’t object to criticism of Israel, and “that type of discussion should take place, with all sides represented… with respect to peace going forward, and people living together in harmony.”

In a statement, national Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff also spoke out against Israeli Apartheid Week. 

“On university campuses across the country this week, Israeli Apartheid Week will once again attempt to demonize and undermine the legitimacy of the Jewish state,” said the Liberal leader. “ It is part of a global campaign of calls for divestment, boycotts and proclamations, and it should be condemned unequivocally and absolutely.

Apartheid is defined, in international law, as a crime against humanity. Israeli Apartheid Week is a deliberate attempt to portray the Jewish state as criminal.

The activities planned for the week will single out Jewish and Israeli students. They will be made to feel ostracized and even physically threatened in the very place where freedom should be paramount — on a university campus.

Let us be clear: criticism of Israeli government policy is legitimate. Wholesale condemnation of the State of Israel and the Jewish people is not legitimate. Not now, not ever.

The very premise of Israeli Apartheid Week runs counter to our shared values of mutual respect and tolerance, regardless of nationality, race or creed. It is an attempt to heighten the tensions in our communities around the tragic conflict in the Middle East.

On behalf of the Liberal party of Canada and the Parliamentary caucus, I urge all Canadians to join with us in condemning Israeli Apartheid Week, and to reject, in principle, all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance, both within this country and around the world.”