Debate Over Israel and Palestinians Draws Controversy (Surprise!)

Jewish human rights groups and the Toronto local of the high school teachers' federation are squaring off on a motion by two teachers (one of them Jewish) to condemn Israel's treatment of Palestinians. The Jewish Defence League says it will picket today's union meeting to protest what they and B'nai Brith Canada have called a motion that will "bring hate ... and propaganda into the classroom." Voting on the motion is reported to take place today.

The Globe (via CP) and CBC have more, and the full text of the motion is posted (non-PDF) on Western Standard's blog.

From CBC:

"[The motion] speaks of "Israel's continued violation of the human rights of Palestinians," and asks the union to create classroom materials on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to support an international boycott of Israel.

B'nai Brith has launched an e-mail campaign calling on teachers and others to contact the union local and urge it to drop the motion."

From The Globe/CP:

"Among other things, Toronto teachers want the union to develop classroom materials on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to support an international boycott of Israel.

The motion has alarmed groups such as B'nai Brith, who argue that egregious abuses in other countries are ignored, there's no condemnation of Palestinian violence, and criticism of Israeli policies can bleed into anti-Semitism."

The union's Web site and a Jewish Tribune article on B'nai Brith's site expand on the story.

Meanwhile, The Globe also reports that Ottawa is ready to resume funding aid to the Palestinians.