And here’s the post-proofreading version:

This is an interesting piece of misinformation since
1) The event cancelled was not an IJV event but an SPHR event organized by Educators for Peace, Faculty for Palestine, and Students Against Israeli Apartheid
2) the cancellation notice was simply forwarded to the public IJV-Toronto list but did not originate from IJV
3) “Anti-Israel activists are now expressing outrage that the event was cancelled on 24 hours notice and with no further explanation.” is an invention – there’s no evidence for this whatsoever.
4) IJV does not have a formal position on the two state solution, for or against. We’re a broad umbrella group that includes people who support a 2 state solution as well as people who support a binational state.
5) The meeting was not cancelled because of a low “level of interest” but moved to November because it was happening at the same time as another event.

Now we all know that the CIC’s job is propaganda and misinformation without regard to facts. However, I’m sending Shimon Fogel this email. I expect he will affirm the CIC’s complete lack of integrity by declining to either remove or correct their woefully incorrect blog item.

Your turn, Shimon.

By Andy on Oct 19, 2009

Here is the CIC response:

1) The event cancelled was not an IJV event but an SPHR event organized by Educators for Peace, Faculty for Palestine, and Students Against Israeli
Apartheid

CIC clearly stated that the event in question was being organized for SPHR. Mr. Lehrer’s claim to the contrary is baseless and false:

“Independent Jewish Voices is announcing the cancellation of an SPHR (Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights) fundraiser for Gaza that was scheduled for this evening in Toronto.”

2) the cancellation notice was simply forwarded to the public IJV-Toronto list but did not originate from IJV

As noted above, CIC clearly reported that IJV “announced the cancellation” of the event in question. Mr. Lehrer’s claim is false. The “cancellation notice” was distributed by an IJV member to all the list’s subscribers.

3) Anti-Israel activists are now expressing outrage that the event was cancelled on 24 hours notice and with no further explanation” is an
invention there’s no evidence for this whatsoever.

In fact, it was one of IJV’s affiliate organizations which expressed its irritation with the last minute cancellation. One member wrote the following in a note to SPHR after receiving the IJV announcement:

“I had advertised the FREE GAZA Fundraiser to hundreds of activists in Toronto and beyond. Activists are entitled to receive details of the “unforeseen circumstances” that led to the cancellation of this event.”

4) IJV does not have a formal position on the two state solution, for or against. We’re a broad umbrella group that includes people who support a 2
state solution as well as people who support a binational state.

IJV officially supports the full return of Palestinian refuges to Israel proper (See here). This directly opposes the two state solution and the principle of two states for two peoples. Mass migration of Palestinian refugees into Israel would dismantle the Jewish democracy, resulting in two Arab states between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

5) The meeting was not cancelled because of a low ‘level of interest’ but moved to November because it was happening at the same time as another event.

It appears that no matter how much interest was generated by this event, there was not enough support to sustain two initiatives scheduled for the same day, nor enough coordination to avoid a last minute cancellation. IJV’s tiny membership, now totalling 186 nationwide, did not help to ameliorate this situation.

By Sara Saber-Freedman on Oct 20, 2009

Hi Andy
Show me a copy of any public utterance that David Lewis made against the state of Israel. I will believe it when I see it

By Murray Rubin on Oct 22, 2009

Alan Borovoy former head of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, who used to work as an articling student for David Lewis` law firm, remembers quite clearly that Lewis was very supportive of the State of Israel when it was proclaimed.

By Murray Rubin on Nov 30, 2009

Murray, I don’t see how your query is a propos of anything but I believe you’ll find a reference to David Lewis’ views on Israel on page 394 of Cameron Smith’s biography, “Unfinished Journey” with Stephen Lewis and Gerry Caplan as the source. This doesn’t mean Lewis wasn’t happy the day Israel was founded, I’m sure many non-Zionist and even anti-Zionist Jews were caught up in the euphoria of the moment (eg IF Stone, numerous Jewish Communists etc) but it seems that ultimately Lewis’ Bundist views predominated.

By Andy on Jan 31, 2010

I miss David lewis desperately. Maybe I am naive but maybe he could deliver some sense to the left wing fanatics who hate Israel because Israel supports Capitalistic USA.The left-wingers are right there to support the fascists, the terrorists, the anti-democratic governments of Israel`s enemies. They support them by SAYING NOTHING and criticizing the only democratic state in the area.Stephen Lewis a man with status says NOTHING loudly.

Murray

By Murray Rubin on Feb 2, 2010

I agree that perhaps you are naïve. You certainly have a highly simplified view of why people are critical of Israel just as you are negligent of what David Lewis’ views were. I think Lewis would be appalled by how far to the right Israel has moved or that a thug and near-fascist like Lieberman could be foreign minister.

By Andy on Feb 2, 2010

Andy
Be realistic.Where is the left-wing state in the middle east that you support. They are all fascist autocratic states. NO DEMOCRACY THERE.I concede Israel is more right wing now than before but it is a democratic state and can turn left at the blink of an eye if the Israeli government is incompetent. One right winger in government( Lieberman)does not make policy. If Israel disappeared nothing would change in that area. They would still kill each other. If Israel succeeds they may lead the Arabs out of the middle ages starting with Palestine

Murray

By Murray Rubin on Feb 3, 2010

What I do not comprehend is why the left has aligned itself with groups like Hamas who advocate terrorism and would eradicate any freedom or right these organizations currently have in democratic countries and yes, that INCLUDES Israel. I refer to the rights of women, environmental issues, the list is endless. They are in fact opting to choose the “side” if I can term it such that is in direct contrast to everything else they are against – not to mention they never seem to take the time to actually listen to what the democratically elected leaders of Israel are actually saying which is to seek peace with their neighbours. I refer them to Golda Meir’s observation that there will never be peace in that region until they (the Muslims) love their children more than they hate us. David lewis had it right Mr. Rubin.

By Gail Walsh on Feb 8, 2010

Andy and his Jewish anti-Zionist anti-Israel ilk would be the first casualties of the totalitarian fascist thugs in the Palestinian Territories who claim to be the rightful government.

By Mel on Feb 11, 2010

Murray,

There are no left wing states in the Middle East. There are no true liberal democracies either, just a few limited democracies such as Turkey, Israel and Lebanon.

Lieberman is an Israeli Le Pen or Haider. Had he been made foreign minister of Austria or Italy you’d see an international diplomatic boycott. People claim they want Israel to be treated as any other country. Well then, where are the sanctions due to Israel’s production of WMDs or their flagrant disregard of numerous UN resolutions?

By Andy on Aug 2, 2010

Andy  In response to your letter. Israel is not a limited democracy. All citizens have a vote. Lieberman is just one man and does not control policy. The world is not worried about WMD in Israel because it is a democracy and rational. The UN general assembly is dominated by Islamic countries who pass primarily resolutions against Israel leaving out all the other countries like Sudan Iran etc
 
Murray Rubin

By Murray Rubin on Aug 20, 2010