Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV) is a
grassroots organization grounded in Jewish tradition that opposes all
forms of racism and advocates for justice and peace for all in
Israel-Palestine. Our strength comes from our members. IJV has active
chapters in cities and on university campuses across the country.
IJV recognizes that the lands on which we live are the territories of
many Indigenous nations and communities across Turtle Island.
Vision & Mission
Vision: A just peace in Israel-Palestine based on principles of equality and human rights.
Mission: To amplify the voices of Canadian Jews in support of justice in Israel-Palestine and at home.
Thematic areas
Palestine Solidarity: IJV was the first national Jewish
organization to endorse the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and
Sanctions movement. We continue to support and defend BDS as well as to
hold Canadian organizations accountable when complicit in Israeli
oppression of Palestinians.
Anti-racism and Indigenous solidarity: IJV stands in
solidarity with Indigenous peoples and with all marginalized peoples in
Canada against racism, settler colonialism and white supremacy. IJV also
works to combat antisemitism and distinguish it clearly from critiques
of Zionism and Israeli policies.
Justice-Oriented Jewish Communities: IJV believes that no
one should have to choose between embracing Judaism or Jewishness and
supporting Palestinian rights. IJV chapters and campus clubs organize
meaningful ritual gatherings that centre justice and critical
reflection.
IJV Basis of Unity
We are a group of Jews in Canada from diverse backgrounds,
occupations and affiliations who share a strong commitment to social
justice and universal human rights. We come together in the belief that
the broad spectrum of opinion among the Jewish population of this
country is not reflected by those institutions that claim to represent
Jewish communities as a whole. We further believe that individuals and
groups within all communities should feel free to express their views on
any issue of public concern without incurring accusations of
disloyalty.
We
have therefore resolved to promote the expression of alternative Jewish
voices, particularly in respect of the grave situation in the Middle
East, which threatens the future of Palestinians and Israelis as well as
the stability of the whole region.
IJV Principles
We are guided by the following principles:
- We affirm that human rights are universal and indivisible and should be upheld without exception.
- We believe that all people living within Israel-Palestine have the right to freedom, equality, and to peaceful and secure lives.
- We believe that the fight against antisemitism is
undermined when principled opposition to unjust Israeli government
policies and practices–including those that contravene international
law–are branded as antisemitic.
- We oppose all forms of racism, including antisemitism,
anti-Arab racism, anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, and intra-Jewish
racism, which marginalizes Jews of colour, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews.
- We stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples of
Turtle Island (North America) in their efforts to overcome the impacts
of European colonization both past and present.
- We seek direction from the communities with whom we stand in solidarity and follow their leadership at every opportunity.
- We strive to be inclusive, justice-seeking, democratic, and open to diverse ideas and practices.
- We believe that true security requires justice and solidarity.
We hereby reclaim the tradition of Jewish support for universal
freedoms, human rights and social justice. The lessons we have learned
from our own history compel us to speak out.
These principles are violated when we allow an occupying power to
trample the human rights of an occupied people. Palestinian inhabitants
of the West Bank and Gaza, living under Israeli occupation and military
blockade, face appalling living conditions, with desperately little hope
for the future. At the same time, Palestinian Israelis are subjected to
a range of discriminatory laws and regulations and are consequently
unable to enjoy the same rights and freedoms that are enjoyed by Israeli
Jews. This institutionalized discrimination has led increasing numbers
of people around the world to identify Israel an apartheid state.
We
therefore declare our support for a properly negotiated peace between
the Israeli and Palestinian people and oppose any attempt by the Israeli
government to impose its own solutions on the Palestinians.
Furthermore, we support full equality for Palestinian Israelis.
To
these ends, IJV supports the 2005 call issued by the Palestinian
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) National Committee for an
international campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to compel
the State of Israel to comply with international law and support
Palestinian Israelis’ human rights by
- Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
- Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
- Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian
refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
