Canadian Union of Public Employees

CUPE Ontario, a union whose purpose it is to represent the interests of federal public employees has somehow morphed into a cudgel of condemnation of the State of Israel, under the firm direction of its Ontario president, Sid Ryan, who takes it upon himself personally to reveal his anti-Semitism under the guise of defending human rights. Under this man's steady hand, a committee of CUPE's university workers passed a resolution boycotting Israeli institutes of higher learning.

Aiding, assisting, abetting and wildly encouraging Mr. Ryan is Ali Mallah, Ontario vice-president of the Canadian Arab Federation, and just coincidentally, vice-president of CUPE Toronto, among his many other political/union hats. Mr. Mallah is skilled at libelous anti-Jewish spoutings, characterizing the trio of "Dion, Rae & Cotler: Pro-Apartheid & anti-Human Rights", among other scurrilous accusations. Clearly, the match between Mr. Mallah and Mr. Ryan is one made in anti-Semite-heaven.

The resolution cementing an earlier boycott of Israel's universities and its researchers calls for their counterparts at Ontario universities to boycott working with Israelis and their institutions which have been identified as 'doing research that benefits that nation's military'. This, as a purported reaction in part to Israel's recent "Cast Lead" offensive in Gaza, where the IDF targeted the Islamic University.

The very institution of higher learning that lent its laboratories to perfecting more viable rockets to be lobbed off into Israel. Which institution, in fact, was used to store rockets and bombs and where the Hamas military elite was comfortable having their many strategic planning meetings. And where the university's professors helped to develop explosives for the terrorist group.

This is the sanctity of the institute of higher learning that CUPE has declared itself committed to avenging by declaring Israeli academics persona non grata in Ontario. University workers in Ontario are urged to look closely and critically at their academic and research ties with their Israeli counterparts. Palestinians in Gaza may support their university's commitment to jihad, however.

If Sid Ryan, (following on the leftist-initiative of unions in Ireland, Australia and the U.S.) insists on his personal abrogation of the focus of CUPE, then why not indulge in a fair focus on the matter of Israel versus the Palestinians? Why not give equal focus to the profound failures of the Palestinians' governing councils to justly represent them, instead of exploiting their vulnerabilities?

The private biases, bigotries and proclivities of a disaffected group bringing a passionate view, one-sided and antagonistic to the fore, with its irrational, malign forces of prejudice and hate doesn't really add to the debate, nor further it in any positive way. Surely the leadership of CUPE Ontario has far more pressing and legitimate issues according to its mandate?

To so assiduously pursue a tainted resolution bogged down in bigotry and falsehoods betrays a public trust. Of such dimensions that the CUPE Ontario leadership presents as one needful of a spirited house-cleaning. The national president of CUPE, Paul Moist, is unequivocal in his stated belief that the academic boycott movement is contrary to CUPE's core values.

With his long experience in unions, let alone as national president, Mr. Moist is well aware of CUPE's rightful advocacy in the realm of quality public services needful for the strength of the communities we all live in. The focus needs to be on the quality of public health care, strengthened communities and municipalities, and public child care.

CUPE's absurd and harmful positions on an international matter they have chosen to support one blinkered side of is unbalanced and useless other than to sow dissent and bitterness within Canada. The resolution just passed by the Ontario committee speaks more to the resurgence of anti-Semitism as a renascent tool for Jew-haters than a representation of a public service union.

More's the pity for that.