(Regina, Canada) — In the Bible, Isaiah the prophet writes something that I believe really describes the days in which we are living, especially when it comes to Israel. In Isaiah 5:20, God says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
I believe that perfectly describes what we’re seeing with the widespread hatred of Israel at home and abroad. They accuse Israel of actions that they themselves commit.
Such was the case last week with a Palestine Solidarity group in Western Canada, in Regina, Saskatchewan. The group booked the film theater at the downtown public library to bring in speaker Jeet Heer, who is a national affairs correspondent for The Nation, a progressive monthly news magazine, to speak on why “Canada and the US [are] backing Israel’s genocide.” With that title, their cards are pretty much on the table regarding what the evening was going to look like. It’s just another opportunity to bash Israel and the Jewish people.
Several Israel-loving people, myself included, wrote letters to the library administration and contacted city councilors to express our deep concern regarding the event. We warned that its intention was to disseminate lies and propaganda against Israel and the Jewish people—which is contrary to the principles of education and community building that the institution stands for.
When the Palestine Solidarity group found out that there was opposition to their Israel bashing night, they immediately took to Facebook to share their displeasure.
“Supporters of the genocide.”
That’s how they started it off.
“Supporters of the genocide have been phoning city councilors to try to get this event canceled, in addition to tearing down posters we put up all around town,” Palestine Solidarity in Regina wrote. Apparently, it’s okay in this world to tear down posters of Israeli hostages, just not anti-semitic ones.
“They can’t tear down social media though!” the group continued. “Please spread the word and help pack the theater. We won’t be silenced!”
As a result of the Palestine Solidarity in Regina’s heated response, especially their claim that opposers were “supporters of the genocide,” the administration of the library canceled the event. Good for them! Unfortunately, the cancelation only lasted for a couple of days.
The Palestine Solidarity group instructed their followers to put immense pressure on the CEO and the board of the library to rethink their decision to cancel the event. This is what they said:
Yesterday, Palestine Solidarity Regina received notice from [Regina Public Library] that they have cancelled our room booking for Jeet Heer’s lecture on June 25 on the grounds that it “has the likely effect of promoting discrimination.” No evidence or explanation was provided to support that allegation.
The library has clearly bowed to pressure from supporters of Israel to censor discussion about the genocide in Palestine. WE NEED YOU TO CONTACT THE RPL BOARD AND CEO TODAY to let them know that the library should not be censoring free speech about the atrocities in Palestine. There is nothing discriminatory about discussing Israel’s role in imperialism and the root causes of the genocide. They further went on to say: Cancelling this event is in itself discriminatory and anti-Palestinian, as it deprives a community under the most extreme forms of violence and duress the opportunity to build awareness of their suffering. Denying people the opportunity to discuss and learn about what is happening in Palestine contravenes the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Statement on Intellectual Freedom. It is also a clear violation of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code and our Charter Rights and Freedoms under the Canadian Constitution. Adding to the pressure, Jeet Heer voiced his displeasure by writing in The Nation, “I’ve Just Been Canceled…” making it an international story. Shamefully, Regina city councilor Dan LeBlanc intervened and sponsored the event. So, the event was back on the schedule this week. You see, they use the freedoms we have in our country to spread disinformation on Israel and the Jewish people, and when challenged, they play the victim card… and they do it all too well. The talk with Jeet Heer is centered around Israel committing genocide when it’s the furthest thing from the truth. The Palestinian population in Israel is about 1.8 million—that’s a little over 20%. In the so-called “West Bank,” there are another 3 million Palestinians, and in the Gaza Strip, another 2 million. That is almost 7 million Palestinians, an eightfold increase since 1948. Friends, that’s not genocide. In Gaza, if you’re going to be pointing to the 40,000 people that have been killed since October 8 and calling that a genocide, give your head a shake! Those are Hamas statistics, a terrorist organization as deemed by Canada, whose charter is the destruction of Israel. Why would we believe anything that comes out of a terrorist’s mouth? Furthermore, why in the world would we allow this kind of demonic propaganda to be spread in our community, which only fuels anti-semitism? Anti-Zionism is anti-semitism. Period. If you want to know who is trying to commit genocide, it’s the Palestinians, as they shout all day long in their mantra, “From The River To The Sea, Palestine Will Be Free.” That’s from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. That means no Israel. That means death to the Jews. They are accusing Israel of that which they want to do themselves. Then they try to convince the world that it’s Israel that is to blame—which, in fact, the Palestinians are the ones in which the blame solely lies. It’s all due to their demonic hate for Israel and the Jewish people. Wake up, Canada! If we don’t stand with Israel against those who wish them dead, Genesis 12:3 promises us that God will curse those who curse His chosen people. That is not what I want to celebrate this coming Canada Day. We need to bless the Jewish people to bring blessings to our country. Let’s not be silent, friends. Let’s get involved and take a stand in these evil days where evil is being presented as good and good as evil. Don’t sit back and say nothing. God is taking note, and we will all have to give an account one day. As for me, I will be attending the Palestine Solidarity in Regina event this week. As of this writing, the event is tomorrow night. I will be reporting back next week on what happened. There is no doubt I am going to hear all the usual buzzwords, calling Israel “apartheid,” “colonialists,” “occupiers of stolen Palestinian land,” and, of course, “committers of genocide.” Lord willing, if it’s opened to a Q&A discussion afterward, you can bet that I’ll be asking some pointed questions that I pray shed light on those who hate Zion—for God says in Psalm 129:5, “Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back.”
Robert Gottselig is the Director of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry Canada and the host of ‘In News Surrounding Israel’ and Cruizin’ For Zion.
