Rabbi Howard Morrison

Had it been prior to Purim, one would have thought it was a joke - Hardly!

Just days prior to Tisha B'Av, Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that come September,  Canada will recognize Palestinian Statehood at the United Nations, thus joining France, the U.K., and perhaps others.

We Jews have a right to decry the statement of an elected leader when we know it is founded on a lack of historical and moral perspective.

Does he not know all the previous times Israel offered sweet terms for a peace deal to only be rejected?

Does he not know that he will be rewarding Hamas, a terrorist organization, which started the current conflict?

Does he not know that some fifty hostages are still being held in hellish conditions?

Does he not know that Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for the reprehensible conditions in Gaza?

Tisha B'Av, this Saturday night-Sunday, commemorates all forms of animosity, hardship, and sadness throughout Jewish history. Intended or not, the Prime Minister's statement will serve to bring pain and suffering on Canadian Jews, Israel, and Jews around the world.

He has time to listen, learn, and change. Can he? Will he? We can only hope and pray.

Shabbat Shalom 

Rabbi Howard Morrison