From school boards to hunger strikers, Israel is under pressure

Crescent International

Jumada' al-Ula' 01, 1443 2021-12-05

Daily News Analysis

by Crescent International

Israel and its lobby are working hard to harass and disrupt the lives of those challenging the Zionist entity’s policies.

Recent developments in Canada and elsewhere, however, show that the days when they could do so with impunity are ending.

On December 3, a report by the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) office of the Integrity Commissioner announced that teaching resources distributed by Board teacher Javier Davila on the colonization of Palestine are not anti-Semitic.

Javier Davila was targeted for teaching resources he distributed on the situation in Palestine.

He was vilified as an ‘anti-Semite’ by a Jewish TDSB commissioner Alexandra Lulka.

TDSB report not only highlighted that Davila’s resources had nothing to do with promoting anti-Semitism or terrorism, but that Lulka “fundamentally mischaracterized materials which were intended to, and do for the most part … center the voices of marginalized Palestinians (particularly those of Palestinian children) as well as Muslims more broadly, and … assist educators in understanding and discussing the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and human rights in a manner that provides thoughtful guidance on how one might critique the Israeli government and army without perpetuating antisemitism.”

Currently Davila is taking legal action against B’nai Brith Canada, a pro-Zionist outfit which recently had settled to pay Canadian lawyer Dimitri Lascaris after the latter sued the group for defamation.

Davila also filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario against the TDSB.

His case shows that challenging Israel’s apartheid policies is no longer taboo.

And the anti-Semitism card employed by pro-Zionist outfits can no longer be used blindly.

The Zionist entity is dependent on external political, military, and economic subsidies to survive.

Israeli leaders understand that they can’t afford to lose the public perception and support battle abroad, especially in Western countries.

Two weeks ago, Israel’s deputy foreign minister cancelled his meetings during a trip to Belgium after Brussels decided to label West Bank settlement products as not made in Israel.

While achievements outside of occupied Palestine are unlikely to lead to the liberation of Palestine, external events act as morale boosters for internal resistance.

On the internal front Israel suffered another political setback on December 5.

It was forced to release Kayed Fasfous, who was on 131-day hunger strike protesting Israel’s indefinite detention practices.

For decades, the Zionists have deliberately politicized and securitized every issue and policy relating to Palestine and the Palestinians.

This so-called pre-emptive strategy to delegitimize the Palestinian struggle is now working against the Zionist entity.

Every single battle, from school boards abroad to prisoner hunger strikes, is now linked to the broader Palestinian struggle.

These developments are galvanizing greater support for the Palestinian cause.

By linking everything to the “existential threat” canard, the Israelis may have won tactically but have shot themselves in the foot in the broader context.