|
|
Oct. 6, 2006
NDP's policy balance
Hezbollah deserved censure, says Layton.
PAT JOHNSON
NDP leader Jack Layton says his party should have condemned Hezbollah
attacks on Israeli civilians but, other than that, the resolutions
the party passed at its convention last month were balanced.
Speaking to the Independent last week, Layton said the resolutions
themselves were reasonable – it was the "whereases"
that were harsh.
The "whereases" – platitudinal preambles to the be-it-resolved
nugget at political plenaries – vigorously condemned Israel
but not Hezbollah, termed Israel's conduct "drastically disproportionate"
and cited the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza as a primary
source of the Mideast conflict.
The resolutions themselves, Layton asserted, were fine, calling
for a United Nations-governed peacekeeping operation in southern
Lebanon, redevelopment aid and a negotiated two-state solution.
"When we vote on resolutions, the whereases are not a part
of the vote and that may be part of the confusion here," said
Layton. "And certainly we intend to review our resolution process
to try to make some of these things clearer. The recommendations,
as opposed to the whereases, were balanced and called for action
on the part of all sides."
The resolutions, nevertheless, bought Layton a sharp rebuke from
Israel's ambassador to Canada. Layton will meet with Alan Baker
after the High Holy Days.
Layton said party delegates should have condemned Hezbollah's rocket
attacks on Israelis.
During the debate, member of Parliament Judy Wasylycia-Leis was
booed by fellow New Democrats for suggesting that delegates acknowledge
that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization.
"When it comes to the resolution, I personally believe that
statements condemning the attacks by Hezbollah on innocent civilians
in Israel should have been made in the whereases component,"
Layton said. He does not contend that Hezbollah should be removed
from Canada's list of terror organizations.
"We have not taken issue with the list, as it exists,"
he said. "Our view has been focused much more on trying to
resolve the conflict."
But the NDP leader repeated his contention that Israel's response
was disproportionate – arguing that many Israelis are making
the same case and they're not accused of having an unbalanced view,
the accusation Layton himself is hearing from critics.
"I think it's a legitimate discussion as to the extent to which
force is used in response to other force and I would hope that in
Canada, we can have respectful discussions of that sort," said
Layton.
He said he cannot speak to how the Jewish community perceives his
party's policies, but they look balanced to him.
"I believe that our approach has been balanced and I think
a review of our statements, actions in the House, our reactions
to terrorist attacks, our reaction to attacks here in Canada, our
efforts to constantly maintain a balanced approach, have been proactive
and I believe, while not universally appreciated, I think there
has been a level of appreciation and it's certainly an effort that
I personally have made," he said.
His position from the outset of the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict has
been straightforward and fair, he said.
"We called for ceasefires right from the beginning and on all
sides, and we've condemned and I continue to condemn the assaults
on civilians, the terrorizing rockets coming into Israel and killing
innocent civilians and attacking communities, for which Hezbollah
has claimed credit,"he said.
"These we condemn and will continue to condemn.... We believe
that conflict and military activity by either side was something
that needed to be restrained and that's why we called for efforts
to achieve a ceasefire on all sides at the earliest possible point
and for a UN force to be composed, in which Canada would participate,
to insert itself effectively between the parties."
Though many on the left subscribe to the slogan "End the occupation
now" and an NDP resolution cited the "occupation"
as a particular frustration to a "lasting, peaceful resolution
of the conflict," Layton said he does not call for an immediate
withdrawal from the Palestinian territories.
"Our party policy calls for a comprehensive negotiated settlement
of all such matters at the same time," he said. "That
would ensure secure and safe borders for both states. That, to us,
is fundamental. We don't separate out one element or the other as
a condition that should be pursued independently. What we talk about
is a comprehensive, negotiated settlement that deals with all of
these issues together. That's been the official position of our
party and the one that I've espoused."
Asked what role he could see himself playing in combatting the anti-Israel
and anti-Jewish genocidal incitement taking place in parts of the
Arab world, Layton said, "We need to be speaking out and expressing
our opposition to that kind of historical representation that's
completely false.
"Incitement of hatred against groups of any kind is always
something that should be condemned," he said, "and unfortunately
that kind of incitement is usually done because it does produce
the desired consequences of those doing the inciting." He cited
Canadian hate crimes legislation as an example of a solution to
what he says is "an international version of similar kinds
of problems."
Pressed on whether his party recognizes the role played in exacerbating
Mideast violence by official and unofficial anti-Israel incitement
within the Arab world, Layton said, "We have, and we believe
that it is wrong and have said so."
Layton also talked about his party's support for community safety
initiatives. Attacks on Jewish and Muslim institutions, which have
increased in recent years, have led to discussions about the federal
government's role in protecting community institutions or providing
funds for the purpose.
"It is completely unacceptable that these anti-Semitic and
racist attacks are continuing," said Layton. "The first
and most important thing is for our political leaders to speak out
against it and to call for all Canadians to stand in solidarity
against this kind of heinous crime." Beyond this, he said,
Ottawa should be looking for the best strategies for prevention.
"Ultimately, a tolerant society, which is respectful of our
diversity and the human rights and freedoms of every community and
every individual, is the best defence," he said.
Pat Johnson is editor of MVOX Multicultural Digest, www.mvox.ca.
^TOP
|
|
