Dear Mr. Fogel,

I’m writing to you today as a member of the Canadian Jewish community. Over the last few weeks, Palestinians in Gaza have marched by the thousands in nonviolent civil resistance -- in response they have been met with live indiscriminate fire by Israeli military forces. Last week, over 60 Palestinians died and nearly two thousand seven hundred were wounded.

I am writing to ask that you and CIJA publicly condemn the violence in Gaza. I am writing because I am angry, sad, outraged, and disheartened. I am writing because as a member of the Canadian Jewish community, I want freedom and dignity for all Israelis and Palestinians.

As a Canadian Jew, I know that my liberation is bound up in the liberation of all people. Our community just celebrated Shavuot, the holiday that marks our reception of the 10 commandments, and our guide for how to live ethical and moral lives. We know that the ethical and moral soul of the Jewish people demands the liberation of all people. This includes Palestinians.

CIJA claims to represent my community, but you do not represent me when you state that Israel did not have any choice when it came to killing Gazans this week. You do not represent me when you ignore an occupation which is a daily nightmare for those who live under it, and a moral disaster for those who administer and support it.

Your support of Israel’s actions this week fails to provide moral leadership to our community. In fact, it reveals that you do not represent the perspective of all members of the Canadian Jewish community, members who stand for freedom and dignity for all.

I hope that under your leadership CIJA will rescind your previous press release, and that CIJA will join me and other Canadian Jewish organizations in condemning the violence and in mourning Palestinian lives.

I, like many other Jewish Canadians, am on the side of freedom and dignity for all. Will you speak for me?

With love,