Other Voices
The pro-Occupation Lobby in Canada
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The Organized Canadian Jewish community has the ear of the politicians and fiercely attacks those who criticize Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians. by Edward C. Corrigan
Many observers would be surprised at the pivotal role Canada played in the partition of Palestine and the creation of Israel. Ivan Rand, who was a retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice, played a critical role in getting the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) to recommend partition into a “Jewish State” and an “Arab State” over a unified Palestine. A unitary Palestine would have approximately one third Jewish population and two-thirds Arab population, based on the actual demographics of the country. Lester B. Pearson, then Canadian under-secretary of state for external affairs, later Prime Minister of Canada and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the 1956 Suez War, also played a significant role in getting the necessary support of countries who were members of the UN at the time to accept partition.