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January 21, 2009, The Chronicle Herald (Halifax, NS) Chaff confusing Middle East issues By LARRY HAIVEN "Chaff" is the word military jet pilots use to describe packages of tiny foil strips they eject to confuse radar-guided missiles. The missile gets confused by the metal strips and chases after the diversion, while the pilot and his jet survive to fight and kill another day. Chaff is what the Canadian Jewish Congress has launched in its accusations of anti-Semitism. And chaff is what The Chronicle Herald editorial board has willingly gone chasing. After Israel sealed the borders of Gaza for months to incoming food and medical aid, causing a humanitarian catastrophe. After Israeli forces then engaged in an orgy of disproportionate violence to kill 1,300 Gazans (among them 400 children) and to injure over 5,000 (among them more than 1,000 children). After demonstrations and condemnations around the world by Jews and non-Jews alike. After Jews occupied Israeli offices in Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles and San Francisco. After dozens of demonstrations in Canada (including one of 10,000 people in Toronto). After five anti-war demonstrations here in Halifax. After 600 Haligonians turned out last Tuesday night to hear Israeli Jewish peace activist Jeff Halper give the real facts about the Gaza operation. After two ex-Israelis stood up from the audience to denounce Israels actions. After all of this, what wise words does The Chronicle Herald editorial board have for us on the tragedy in Gaza? Do we see any condemnation of Israeli politicians, its army or its airforce? What wise words do we have? "Condemn anti-Semitism" (Jan. 18 editorial). So desperate has the Canadian Jewish Congress been to divert attention away from Israels murderous rampage that last week, it asked the police to investigate anti-Semitism. And they have demanded that all the unions and church groups, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian organizations that have been active in condemning the Israeli actions also denounce anti-Semitism. Of course, the Canadian Jewish Congress knows that the most effective chaff consists of accusations of anti-Semitism and hasnt hesitated to use it. But this time, Israels actions have been so outrageous that the CJC felt it had to be even more outrageous. I am a Jew whose father was a survivor of Auschwitz. I have attended the demonstrations in Halifax and I have not heard or seen a single anti-Semitic comment. Its so good to see that The Herald editorial board is right on top of this story. Larry Haiven is a university professor who lives in Halifax. ********************** Originally link http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1101800.html Fair Use Notice: The above newspaper article is copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
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