paypal

Connexions Calendar

To be or not to be a Jewish State? A question with implications for Canada


February 10, 2015


Why is Benjamin Netanyahu relentless in his drive to create a "Jewish State" in constitutional law? The "nation-state" law would make it legal that where Israeli democracy and "Jewishness" are in conflict, its "Jewish" nature take precedence over democracy. Stephen Harper has declared that Canada should recognize Israel as a "Jewish State". He also says Israel is the "only democracy in the Middle East." But what does a "Jewish State" actually mean? Especially for the 22% of the population that is not Jewish? Is it possible for Israel to be both a democracy and a Jewish State?

Having visited Israel over several years and countless visits to both Palestinian and Israeli schools, homes, hospitals, farms and villages, Peter Larson examines the question.

Speaker
Peter Larson is the Chair of the National Education Committee on Israel/Palestine (NECIP).

His professional career included periods at the Public Policy Forum, the Conference Board of Canada, Le Droit, and with several Federal government departments and agencies. In addition he was well known as a syndicated columnist with the Southam Newspaper chain.

For the last 10 years, he has taken a particular interest in human rights issues in the Middle East, visiting Israel, Iran, Jordan, Egypt and the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank. He has also led many trips to Israel/Palestine for Canadians interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the complex Israel/Palestine issue.

Cost $5

Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: Beit Zatoun
Location: 612 Markham Street Toronto, ON
Website: http://beitzatoun.org
Categories: International

Back to main calendar listings