We’ve seen it before, we’ll see it again. Israel’s detractors and their scurrilous attempts to delegitimize the Jewish state and malign its supporters in their pursuit of politicizing the apolitical.
To mark sixty years of friendship and diplomatic relations between Canada and Israel, Canada Post issued a “commemorative stamp to celebrate Canada’s strong bilateral relationship with Israel – a friendship that spans six decades and is marked by shared values, common interests, and strong political, economic, cultural and social ties.”
As Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Miriam Ziv noted in an article in Canada Stamp News: “This beautiful stamp reflects the special bond between our two nations and the people behind this strong cooperation and warm friendship, based on our shared values and commitment to democracy, diversity and the rule of law.”
Cue the usual anti-Israel agitators who campaign (see here, here, here, and here) against this historic and important effort by labeling Israel “racist,” “genocidal” and a “terrorist” state by spewing outright lies, disinformation and hate.
In an attempt to disseminate this message to a wider audience, Israel’s detractors have used Canadian media outlets as a medium to achieve their end goal of stamping out Israel.
Case in point, on May 5, the Waterloo Recordprinted a letter to the editor by Kitchener’s Alan Rimmer encouraging Canada Post to “Scrap the stamps.” Rimmer claimed that Israel is a “rogue” state that intentionally targets civilians, while acting uncivilized. HonestReporting Canada letter writer Vicky Tobianah promptly challenged these baseless allegations noting Canada and Israel’s shared values in a May 8 letter that was printed in the Waterloo Record. See both letters immediately below.
Meanwhile, a letter to the editor was published in the Telegraph-Journal on May 13 under the disgusting headline: “Canada, Israel share racist values.“The letter written by Fredericton’s Julie Michaudclaimed that Israel oppresses the “indigenous (Palestinian) population,” and that Israel is an “apartheid state” which has a “racist history.”
In another example of an individual using the media as a platform to voice opposition to the joint stamp, the Canadian Stamp News published a letter on April 13 by Charles Verge, the past-president of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, who expressed mystification “by the totally political nature of the stamp.” Verge baselessly implied that there might have been political interference in the Canada-Israel friendship stamp’s release.
Although it’s worth noting that Verge’s letter was certainly more muted, docile, and without anti-Israel hyperbole in contrast to the aforementioned examples, this letter still merited a response. HonestReporting Canada letter writer Irv Osterer quickly challenged Verge’s unsubstantiated assertions in a letter (see below) that was published in a subsequent issue of the Canadian Stamp News.
How You Can Make A Difference:Should you come across any efforts by Israel’s detractors to use the Canadian media to try to “stamp out Israel,” please bring this to our attention by sending emails to: info@honestreporting.ca, or better yet, add your voice to the marketplace of ideas by writing a letter to the editor yourself. Should you require any assistance in drafting your letter HonestReporting Canada is here to help. Please also consider supporting our vital work by donating online today. _____________________________________________________________________________________
Mike is the Executive Director of HonestReporting Canada and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization, its financial management and project development. A seventeen-year veteran of the Canadian journalism industry, Mike was a former editor-in-chief, reporter, and anchor of various news programs and publications. Mike's focus is on delivering efficiency and professionalism as HRC moves into new technological and geographical spheres. Mike is a human rights expert and a frequent on-air commentator. His work has been published in the Globe and Mail, the National Post, Toronto Star, CBC News and more.
To mark sixty years of friendship and diplomatic relations between Canada and Israel, 
