|
|
April 4, 2003
Peace talks only at JCC
Gerry Zipursky fields criticism after anti-Israel event.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC) has once
again found itself in the middle of a political conundrum involving
a local peace group that holds regular events at the centre.
Prior to a March 20 meeting at the JCC, organized by the Peace Walker
Society, one of the group's organizers assured the JCC that their
featured speaker, author Deborah Campbell, was going to share her
thoughts on grassroots peace movements and not on Israeli/Palestinian
politics. However, throughout Campbell's presentation, she made
several comments and references that laid blame on the Israel Defence
Forces for the continued violence in the region.
While Peace Walker organizers told the Bulletin that Campbell's
speech did not end up as they hoped it would be, JCC executive director
Gerry Zipursky has found himself answering questions about who the
centre will allow to use its space.
"We're not interested in renting our facilities as a venue
for someone's political agenda," Zipursky told the Bulletin.
"I sent [Peace Walker organizer Alan Woodland] a very clear
message that we are not interested in holding any further sessions
if they were of the nature of the one with Deborah Campbell."
Woodland responded to Zipursky and, after thorough discussion, it
was decided that the Peace Walker Society would be allowed to continue
holding events at the JCC as long as there were no anti-Israel or
political messages being propagated.
"After our discussion and after he indicated what the intent
was for their next session [which took place March 27], I was prepared
to give it one more try. This was under the terms that he would
have to control the meeting and make it clear to the speaker that
if their intention was to be in the same vein as Ms. Campbell that
perhaps there would be a more appropriate forum outside of the centre."
Zipursky said that Woodland sent him something in writing, making
it clear that his organization accepted the responsibility and understood
those terms.
The JCC's leader added that he felt comfortable that it was not
the intention of the Peace Walker Society to preach any anything
other than peace.
"The fact that they acknowledged [that Campbell's presentation
was inappropriate] meant a lot to me because it wasn't just a matter
of saying, 'well it was just freedom of expression and people should
be allowed to say what they want,' " Zipursky said. "[Woodland]
admitted that [anti-Israel sentiment] wasn't what the purpose of
the event was and he understood our concern. So I felt that it was
important to listen and not just react."
Zipursky asked Yair Tabenkin, director of Israel Affairs for the
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, to attend the March 27 meeting
of the Peace Walker Society. Zipursky also viewed the film Children
of Abraham, which was featured at the event.
Both he and Tabenkin were satisfied that the event went according
to the rules of the JCC.
"The centre isn't interested in hosting groups that are anti-Israel,
but we are interested in seeking ways that allow Jewish people to
have an opportunity to seek positive solutions for peace,"
said Zipursky.
The centre had found itself involved in a similar debate this past
summer when they prevented an event organized by another peace group,
Ta'ayush (Coexistence), from taking place at the JCC. The
banned event, which ended up taking place at the Peretz Centre,
promoted the group's agenda of fighting the Israeli occupation in
Palestinian territories.
^TOP
|
|
