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Solidarity and the Silencing of Palestinian Narratives I I 1'"' Outside the Mi.ilticultural: Solidarity and the Silencing of Palestinian Narratives I I RAFEEF ZIADAH ·I A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO : THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL°FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM IN POLITICAL SCIENCE YORK UNIVERSITY TORONTO, ONTARIO October, 2013 © Rafeef Ziadah, 2013 Abstract This dissertation examines a series of efforts by the Canadian state to silence and censor the Palestine Solidarity Movement (PSM), particularly activism engaged in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, in the years following the second Palestinian uprising (Intifada) of 2000. Following a delineation of the broad contours of Canada's official multicultural policy, the dissertation seeks to interrogate multicultural policy's inability to·accommodate Palestinian narratives relating to the struggle for Palestinian self-det~rmination. The analysis explores the central contradiction between the multicultural st*e's self-construction as accommodating and even celebrating cultural difference, and Canada's adoption and deployment of the discourse of clash of civilizations and the War on Terror. Rooted in a critique of liberal theories of the state and an understanding of Canada as a racial state embedded in neoliberal global hierarchies as a second tier imperialist state, this study reveals the ways in which notions of "tolerance" may be used to establish boundaries and markers of belonging. Moments of erasure and silencing are analyzed as racializing moments, whereby the state reveals its class and racial character in both domestic and international spheres. Specifically, the manifestations of anti-Arab, anti­ Muslim racism in Canada are interrogated. The silencing campaign against the Palestine Solidarity Movement demonstrates the role official multicultural policy has played in obfuscating this racism. Multicultural rhetoric is used to enact the erasure and silencing of the Palestinian narrative; under the guise of "respecting; diversity," the Palestinian narrative is cast out as it makes some feel 11 "uncomfortable." Relying on a textual analysis of state records, parliament proceedings, public speeches, media reports, journalistic reports, op-eds, and documents obtained through freedom of information requests, three specific case studies are examined: the attack against Israeli Apartheid Week; the defunding of Arab/Palestinian ethnocultural organizations, as well as development organizations and research bodies deemed pro­ Palestinian; and the campaign to ban Queers Against Israeli Apartheid from marching in Pride Toronto. Close attention is given to three interrelated silencing discourses that rely on historical forms of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism: the accusation of anti-Semitism, calls for balance and dialogue, and the distinction between extremists and moderates. 1ll Acknowledgements "I don't decide to represent anything except myself. But that self is full of collective memory. - Mahmoud Darwish The silencing and censorship we faced as Palestinian and Palestine solidarity activists in Canada, a country that prides itself on its tolerance and multiculturalism, prompted me to pu~sue the questions in this dissertation. This work is an attempt to I record some of the 1 collective memory of a young movement: its key moments, its inspiration, the can)paigns to silence it, and the resistance to this silencing. This movement, however, would not exist in Canada if it were not for the courage of the I Palestinian people in its entirety-who have not surrendered their existence to the Israeli I state despite decades of military aggression. I can only hope this work sheds some light on the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice. I would like to thank my dissertation supervisor, Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, for her support during my PhD studies and her wholehearted belief in this project, Professor David McNally for encouraging me to pursue a topic many would shy away from, and for taking the time to introduce me to the complicated debates within Canadian political economy, and fina11y Professor Karren Murray, for her invaluable help in strengthening the text and highlighting key ideas. A special thanks to Angela Pietrobon for her editorial assistance, professi:onalism, and immaculate attention to detail. On a personal note, my eternal gratitude is to my sisters, brother, aunts, uncle, and cousins who have cilways been my anchor, helping me keep perspective and remain IV l''' : grounded when the 1world of academia becomes disconnected from our history as I refugees in exile. Thanks especially to my parents for knowing how to enjoy life despite I its "50/50 chances." Above all, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous support that I my partner Adam ~anieh gave me during this process. It is to him that I dedicate this I dissertation, as without his love and calmness this work would not have seen the light of day. My dear friend Andrew Hugill was a pillar of support throughout this work and one of the most commit~ed activists I have had the pleasure of working with, and Issam Al- Yamani supported me as a father would at all stages of my studies. Finally, I want to thank Alan Sears and Mary-Joe Nadeau for all the dissertation-writing survival tips, gmdance,• and support.I I I Inspiration for this project has come from many individual activists (too many to I name here) and gra~sroots collectives. I continue to learn from and be inspired by colleagues active aqross movements for social and economic justice and hope this dissertation can be a useful resource for them. v Table of Contents I Abstract ................. , ............................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Table of Contents .. '. ............................................................................................................ vi List of Tables ........ : ............................................................................................................. x Chapter 1. Canada's Multicultural Policies and Practices: Erasure, Silencing, and the I I Palestine Solidarity; Movement ........................................................................................... 1 I Research Focus: iWhy the Palestine Solidarity Movement ............................................. 4 I I Tracing Canada's Official Multicultural Policy ............................................................. 9 I Major Critiques qfMulticultural Policies and Practices ............................................... 23 I Assuming the neutrality of the liberal state .............................................................. 24 I The elision of the connection between the racial management of domestic groups and imperialis1!1 ......................................................................................................... 30 I The obfuscatioh of race: Naturalizing whiteness and culturalizing race .................. 35 Discourses of Erasure and Silencing ............................................................................ 41 I Methodological Considerations .................................................................................... 45 Chapter Outline .. :........................................................................................................... 48 Chapter 2. Canadia~ Imperialism and the "Special Relationship" with Israel: A Framework for Sile1:iJ.cing and Erasure .............................................................................. 53 Canadian Capitalism and the Neoliberal World Market ............................................... 54 Canadian Militari1sm ..................................................................................................... 59 Imperialism and the Middle East .................................................................................. 62 I I VI Canada and Imperialism in the Middle East.. ............................................................... 65 Canada's Special Relationship with Israel. ................................................................... 69 Empire, Racism,• and the War on Terror ....................................................................... 81 Palestinian Racialization: Erasure and Silencing .......................................................... 85 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 88 Chapter 3. Silencing Dissent on Campus: the Case oflsraeli Apartheid Week ............... 91 Silencing Palestine on Campus ..................................................................................... 94 Origins and Hist0ry of Israeli Apartheid Week .......................................................... 100 Pro-Israel Lobby, Approaches to IA W ........................................................................ 108 Israeli Apartheid'Week and University Administrations ............................................ 112 State Officials and Discourses of Silencing ................................................................ 118 I Accusations of anti-Semitism ................................................................................. 119 "Singling out", Israel. .............................................................................................. 121 Diversity, civility, and respectful dialogue
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