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By Yves Engler
September 12, 2010

A specter is haunting the Harper government and its pro-Israel allies.
It's been dubbed CBG and it stands for Canadian Boat to Gaza.

Pro-Palestinian activists recently began raising $300,000 to send a
Canadian registered ship to help break Israel’s illegal blockade of
Gaza. The plan is to fill the ship with various supplies, a couple
dozen prominent activists and to return with Palestinian exports.

Collecting $300,000 is not easy but it’s important that Canada be
represented in the next international Free Gaza flotilla, which is
expected to include boats from the U.S., India and many European
countries. The Harper government continues to adopt an extreme pro-
Israel position and the flotilla is an opportunity to demonstrate that
there is a countervailing force supporting Palestinian rights.

The CBG could also be used to embarrass the Conservative government.
Presumably, the Prime Minister would like to maintain his 'Israel no
matter what’ position, which is popular with evangelical Christians
and right-wing Jews, but can he actually support an Israeli assault
against a Canadian flagged ship?

If Harper supports Israeli forces commandeering a Canadian vessel in
international waters — tantamount to piracy — Liberal leader Michael
Ignatieff would be under enormous pressure to defend international
law.

Irrespective of the positions taken by Canadian leaders, the ship will
draw attention to Israel’s siege of Gaza and the suffering of
Palestinians.

Despite many logistical hurdles the CBG was given a significant boost
by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. After Canada Post announced
that it would no longer send mail to Gaza (Israel Post decided to halt
mail to the area last month) the union called on Canadians to send
their Gaza-bound mail on the CBG.

A number of Quebec unions also look set to support the initiative.

The media understands that the CBG could mark a watershed moment in
pro-Palestinian activism. Both the National Post and Toronto Star have
already run front-page stories about the effort and pro-Israel
commentators have unleashed a torrent of criticism.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has taken interest as well.
CSIS agents visited the home of one of the organizers, Ehab Lotayef,
twice in one week. They claimed to be concerned that unfriendly
individuals might take advantage of the endeavor, but this follows
their recent harassment of other Pro-Palestinian activists. (See here)

Sending a boat to Gaza would be a major step forward for a movement
that has made remarkable strides in recent years.

A decade ago Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights didn’t exist and
now they have a dozen chapters across the country. Similarly, groups
such as the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid, Canadians for Justice
and Peace in the Middle East and Tadamon! have all established
themselves in recent years. Ditto for Independent Jewish Voices and
its six active chapters.

These groups’ organizing efforts are increasingly bearing fruit.
During Israel’s 22-day assault on Gaza at the end of 2008 many
Canadian cities witnessed their largest ever pro-Palestinian
demonstration while this year’s Israeli Apartheid Week was bigger than
the previous one. In February, 500 Quebec artists stated their intent
to boycott Israel and a few months ago pro-Israel groups suffered a
humiliating defeat after trying to get Queers Against Israeli
Apartheid barred from Toronto’s Gay Pride parade.

Continuing this momentum forward at the end of October Montreal will
host an international boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS)
organizing conference that looks set to boost the nascent movement.
The CBG provides the Pro-Palestinian movement with another more high-
profile opportunity to draw attention to Canada’s role in Palestinian
suffering.

For Israeli decision-makers the forthcoming international flotilla is
a major threat. Since killing nine aboard a Turkish vessel in May
Israeli officials have been under growing international pressure to
end the blockade. A month ago new British Prime Minister David Cameron
called Gaza a "Prison Camp".

But Israeli leaders are concerned that softening their policies in
Gaza might have longer-term consequences. By conceding to
international grassroots pressure they risk giving a boost to the
international boycott campaign. It would further confirm that the tide
is turning towards a just settlement

The Canadian Boat to Gaza depends upon many individuals donating $20,
$40 or more and many others bringing fundraising proposals to their
union, church or student group. Once the money is raised the boat
should gives us an opportunity to stir outrage at Israel’s brutal
treatment of Palestinians and Canada’s complicity therein.

People who support justice and peace should get behind the flotilla.

- To support CBG visit: http://canadaboatgaza.org/cms/sites/cbg/splash.aspx