Canada-Israel Committee

CIC was funded by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy arm of Jewish Federations of Canada - UIA. ==Programming==

The CIC's goal was to increase understanding between the peoples of Canada and Israel. It was a voluntary, non-profit organization that enjoyed the support of Canadians from all walks of life. In seeking to enhance Canada-Israel friendship, the CIC liaised with government, media, business and the academic sector, often submitting briefs and providing background analyses on matters of public policy. In addition, it sponsored seminars, conferences and other types of educational programming in Canada, and organized study missions to Israel. == Formational History ==

Jewish immigration of the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought to Canada the diversity of Zionist thought, which led to the creation of several Zionist parties. Uniting these parties was difficult because each had considerable vertical integration, from international support to national and local activity. Only by way of World War II and the British Mandate of Palestine, was lasting cooperation achieved. A common solidarity to Israel united Canadian Jewry past its divisions, establishing a precedent that would lead to the beginning of the CIC. The decades following the British Mandate saw a consolidation of Zionism in Canada. By the 1960s, several pan-Zionist organizations had been created, including the Zionist Public Affairs Committee, the Committee for Emergency Aid to Israel, and the Joint Public Relations Committee. Most of these groups were maintained on an ad hoc basis, often emerging in response to significant events in Israel. In 1967, the Joint Public Relations Committee evolved into the Canada-Israel Committee. The new committee was authorized by public mandate to represent Israeli interests before the Canadian Parliament, public, and media. But most importantly, the CIC was designed to link Canadian Jews to the halls of power in Ottawa. == Early years ==

The CIC underwent difficulties in its first years of operation. It was briefly disbanded in 1971 when its funding partners could not reconcile differing visions. Later in 1971, the CIC was restored. Under the leadership of Myer Bick, the CIC secured funding from B'nai Brith and hired personnel at its Montreal location. It provided news outlets with features and audio-visual productions that favored Israel. In the 1980s, the CIC created an additional office in Montreal. This office maintained contact with the Ottawa office to coordinate strategy and focused primarily on regional services and activism. == Organizational structure ==

Leadership The Canada-Israel Committee's operations were steered primarily by its board of directors, which composed of sponsoring organizations, representatives from various Jewish communities, and a compilation of other nationally influential Zionist groups. The board met quarterly to set, plan, and implement its agenda. Additionally, the CIC was governed by its executive committee, which consisted of nine to twelve members. In times of fast-moving developments or emergencies, the executive committee would take over the helm of the CIC and functioned under a flexible response regime. Mode of operation Functionally, the CIC was a centralized organization, with its focal point being the Ottawa office. This arrangement was naturally advantageous for the CIC because foreign policy itself was, and remains today, consolidated in Ottawa with the Canadian federal government. Yet the need to include all Jewish communities at the table, particularly small, rural localities, was an institutionally binding feature of the CIC. Thus, the committee decentralized some power to better incorporate all Jewish representatives across Canada into the organization. Structure Overall, the CIC's structure was distinctly similar to the corporate model of governance. Much of its membership came from the wealthy and upper-classes of Canadian Jewry, who often had familiarity with corporate procedures, organization, and operation. Uniquely, the CIC had no due-paying membership base. This is in contrast to other Canadian Jewish organizations, such as B'nai Brith, which relied on dues. Without a membership base, the CIC could exercise independence in a manner membership-based organization could not; however, the CIC could not self-sufficiently procure revenue without members. Thus, the CIC was principally reliant on donor organizations for money, and therefore, was answerable to them. == Activity ==

Lobbying Parliament CIC lobbying efforts directed toward the Canadian federal government came in a variety of arrangements. Most popular among these were standard interest group mailed letters, petitions, and phone calls to members of parliament. The CIC further employed "advertisements, demonstrations, and whisper campaigns..." Those selected (approximately 5 per year), would be paired with a backbencher MP in Ottawa for nine months to assist with committee assignments, constituent services, and other duties. Depending on the backbencher, travel and research could be incorporated into the internship experience. and analyses concerning Israel from the Canadian perspective. One of the most prominent publications of the CIC was the CIC Insider, which was published several times per year. CIC Insider followed Israeli affairs, regional happenings, and the Israeli-Arab conflict, among other topics. This publication was very policy-based, which allowed the CIC connect with policy researchers in Parliament and academia. Book reviews The CIC compiled a listing of book reviews on publications salient to Middle Eastern affairs in the early 2000s. Backgrounder In the early 2000s, the CIC curated many articles examining ongoing developments in the Israeli-Arab conflict. Archives retained between 2002 and 2006 delved into recent Palestinian polling, democratic trends, and Israeli sentiments on the Palestinians. The Backgrounder was regularly updated and was maintained on the CIC's website, serving to inform Canadian Jewry and the general public. In the media Iranian sanctions Upon learning that Canada completed all relevant actions in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929, the CIC issued its support of the government and prodded it to consider further sanctions for Iran. The CIC framed the government's decision as befitting of an international leader that employs diplomacy over military involvement. CIC highlighted Iran's concealment of its nuclear program to be particularly disconcerting. In total, the legislation barred Canadian economic activity with select Iranian nationals, instituted an embargo on military weaponry, inhibited petroleum imports and exports with Iran, and banned Canada from providing services to Iranian shipping vessels. Shimon Fogel, then CEO of the CIC, expressed appreciation to the Canadian government for its initiative: "The Canada-Israel Committee has worked hard with all parties in Ottawa to make the case for tough, peaceful measures against Iran's nuclear program... We are very grateful that the Canadian government, with the support of opposition members, has taken the lead in confronting the regime now." by asking the Canadian public how they would react to being in Israel's situation vis-á-vis Hamas. CIC leadership noted how fortunate Canadians are compared to Israelis, who were facing weekly, if not daily, aggression from Hamas. This campaign was part of the CIC's aspiration for Canada to impose a full arms blockade of Gaza, and thus enhance Israel's security. The CIC was excited to welcome the visiting Prime Minister to deepen bilateral ties and cooperation on trade, the Middle East, and beyond. Chairman Moshe Ronen noted, "The depth of the Canada-Israel relationship is remarkable and continues to demonstrate great vitality as it expands across the many and varied economic, cultural and economic sectors to the benefit of both countries... There is tremendous potential for exponential growth, well beyond what we have already experienced." The CIC emphasized the shared values of both nations, urging the leaders to work for peace between Israel and Palestine while exploring solutions for the Iranian nuclear program. == Case studies into the CIC and Canadian Middle East policy ==

=== Yom Kippur War—October, 1973 === Lobbying shortfalls The Arab-Israeli War, with the CIC's lobbying, did not sway the Canadian government or populace drastically in favor of Israel. The CIC sought for Canada to directly condemn the Arabs states for attacking Israel, but for a number of reasons, this goal was never realized. These individuals, among them Prime Minister Trudeau, spoke to their high group cohesion and tactical lobbying being of high caliber, as the CIC advocated for fewer than 2 percent of Canada's population. External Affairs minister Joe Clark spoke to the delegation, articulating a belief that placed Israel in the wrong with regard to Palestine. Clark charged Israel with "human rights violations" and imposing "force and fear" on the Palestinians. Several dozen CIC attendees walked out on the speech. Shortly thereafter, the CIC condemned Clarks' speech in a press release. Clark later retracted his statements by sending a letter to CIC chair Sidney Spivak, and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney spoke to the press, affirming his government's support for Israel. In just a short amount of time, the CIC exhibited its power as an ethnic lobby. Limits of power Ultimately, the CIC's demands were seldom implemented in national policy. These limits to its power came primarily at the intersection of disinterest in Middle Eastern affairs. Moreover, Israel's invasion into Lebanon eroded the CIC's legitimacy in the public eye and incited the formation of Arab-Canadian interest groups. Increases in both the funding and organizational power of Arab-Canadian interest groups boosted their standings relative to the CIC, which had the effect of crowding out the CIC's lobbying efforts in ensuring decades. == Mission statement ==

The Canada-Israel Committee strove to achieve various missions as an advocacy group. Cultural goals 1) "To advance a strong and dynamic relationship between the peoples of Canada and Israel." == Transition to defunct status ==

From 1967 to early 2000s From its inception in 1967, the Canada-Israel Committee was governed by its board of directors, but by the dawn of the new century, a new era of restructuring was emerging. By the early 2000s, notable Jewish individuals, among them Brent Belzberg, Steven Cummings, and Larry Tanenbaum, had begun consolidating power Taking place over a period of 18 months, this move was made to amalgamate Jewish voices together for uniformity of voice and for financial purposes. Nine people were fired during the realignment. CJIA leaders contended that differences between various organizations, including the issues they responded to and lobbied for, became almost non-existent, giving credence for the merging. Criticism Critics posit that the disassembling of former advocacy groups was implemented undemocratically. The CJIA was not voted into existence, and its leadership is appointed to head the organization. Some have also expressed fears that certain ideas and ideologies are being crowded out by the CJIA. Perhaps due to the CJIA's size or unwillingness to consider alternative priorities, these people felt better serviced by the prior arrangement of Jewish organizations. ==External links==