Premier Wynne: Don't Take Trade Mission to Israel & Don't Open Ontario Office In Israel
The Issue
Premier Wynne, we voice our concern about your upcoming Ontario trade mission to Israel and your announcement of an Ontario economic development office in Israel.
The global and local BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement holds Israel accountable to comply with international humanitarian law and to respect fundamental human rights. Thus, we are horrified that as a leader who is known to affirm justice, freedom and equity that you are focused on increasing trade and investment with Israel.
You have indicated to your Cabinet Ministers that they must lead responsibly, act with integrity, manage spending wisely and be accountable for every action.
Given Israel’s persistent violations of international law and human rights, your announced action seems to be misaligned. In fact, given that a fraction of one percent of Ontario’s trade is with Israel, it is questionable that there is even a solid business case for these decisions.
Citizens would have been shocked if Canada had chosen to support apartheid South Africa as other countries were holding South Africa accountable through the BDS movement. Thus, we are equally shocked by your actions. This seems especially unseemly for a Premier who has a record of supporting equity, inclusiveness, diversity, and human rights.
Therefore, we call on you to NOT proceed with your plans:
1. for an Ontario trade mission to Israel, and
2. Ontario’s establishment of an international economic development office in Israel.
To proceed with either of these makes the Ontario government complicit in supporting the occupation and violations of human rights.
You indicated that you would not weigh in on BDS. But by making all Ontarians complicit in Israel’s systematic human rights violations, you are weighing in very strongly in support of continued trade and investment with Israel without any strings attached.
We call on you to take the courageous step of standing in solidarity for freedom, equality and justice, and not take an Ontario trade mission to Israel, and to cancel your plans for an office and staffing of Ontario economic development in Israel.
The Issue
Premier Wynne, we voice our concern about your upcoming Ontario trade mission to Israel and your announcement of an Ontario economic development office in Israel.
The global and local BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement holds Israel accountable to comply with international humanitarian law and to respect fundamental human rights. Thus, we are horrified that as a leader who is known to affirm justice, freedom and equity that you are focused on increasing trade and investment with Israel.
You have indicated to your Cabinet Ministers that they must lead responsibly, act with integrity, manage spending wisely and be accountable for every action.
Given Israel’s persistent violations of international law and human rights, your announced action seems to be misaligned. In fact, given that a fraction of one percent of Ontario’s trade is with Israel, it is questionable that there is even a solid business case for these decisions.
Citizens would have been shocked if Canada had chosen to support apartheid South Africa as other countries were holding South Africa accountable through the BDS movement. Thus, we are equally shocked by your actions. This seems especially unseemly for a Premier who has a record of supporting equity, inclusiveness, diversity, and human rights.
Therefore, we call on you to NOT proceed with your plans:
1. for an Ontario trade mission to Israel, and
2. Ontario’s establishment of an international economic development office in Israel.
To proceed with either of these makes the Ontario government complicit in supporting the occupation and violations of human rights.
You indicated that you would not weigh in on BDS. But by making all Ontarians complicit in Israel’s systematic human rights violations, you are weighing in very strongly in support of continued trade and investment with Israel without any strings attached.
We call on you to take the courageous step of standing in solidarity for freedom, equality and justice, and not take an Ontario trade mission to Israel, and to cancel your plans for an office and staffing of Ontario economic development in Israel.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on March 4, 2016