Letter Sent by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to the Leaders of the Canadian Jewish Community

November 3, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Attached is the text of a letter sent by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to the Leaders of the Canadian Jewish Community.

- 30 -

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Recently I had a chance to meet with you, the leaders of the Canadian Jewish community, to discuss Canadian policy with respect to the recent outbreak of violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. I felt that our time together was mutually beneficial, allowing me to clarify the Government of Canada's position and the leadership a chance to express deep and understandable concern about the impact of the renewed bloodshed on the security of Israel.

I know that the Government of Canada and Canadian Jewish community share one overriding objective in the Middle East: securing a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. In the past few weeks, the high hopes of achieving this elusive goal have faded. In our meeting, I heard frustration expressed that the unprecedented risks taken and courageous compromises offered by the Israeli government in pursuit of peace have not been reciprocated. Our government understands this frustration. We regret that Canada's vote on UN Security Council Resolution 1322 has added to this distress and frustration.

For most Canadians, the peace process in the Middle East is an abstract idea. Many do not fully grasp the risks entailed in following the path of peace, or the human price paid with each setback. It is a path that requires incredible courage, immense patience and endless perseverance. But I also deeply believe that with all of its bitter frustrations, it is the only path open to the peoples of the Middle East that leads to the bright and secure future evoked by the late Yitzhak Rabin when he called for a final end to "blood and tears". That is the path that Canada has and will continue to counsel all parties to follow.

Regarding our vote on UNSCR 1322, I came away from our meeting with a sense that the leadership of the Canadian Jewish community was reassured of the fact that one UN vote cannot define - or re-define - the deep and longstanding friendship that exists between Canada and Israel. Our commitment to Israel is longstanding and will remain a pillar of Canada’s policy in the Middle East. In the time since UNSCR 1322, for instance, Canada has opposed what we felt to be a grossly unbalanced resolution (# S-5/1) at the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. And we would not support a recent UN General Assembly Resolution (# A/ES-10/L.6) because it represented an unhelpful initiative in our collective efforts to move away from violence and back toward negotiations.

Our meeting also gave me a chance to share with the leadership the various initiatives that I have undertaken at the request of Prime Minister Barak. His requests and my eagerness to respond positively reflects the kind of friendship - both on a personal and bilateral level - between Canada and Israel of which I am very proud.

In closing, let me reiterate, as I did at our meeting, that my door and the door of our government is always open. The Canadian Jewish community is welcome and encouraged to share its hopes and concerns. Our shared goal, as expressed at our meeting, is for Canada to serve as a facilitator of progress towards peace for Israel and her neighbours.

This is not only our responsibility but our privilege.

Sincerely,

(ORIGINAL SIGNED BY THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE JEAN CHRÉTIEN)