Muslim Press has conducted an interview with Murray Dobbin, one of Canada’s most popular progressive political commentators and analysts, to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the influence of Israel over the US and Canada’s foreign policy.

Here’s the full text of the interview:

Muslim Press: Mr. Dobbin, you have described ‘the new anti-Semitism’ as a propaganda piece. How do you explain that?

Murray Dobbin: The creation of the idea of a ‘new anti-Semitism’ is actually quite a transparent attempt to intimidate anyone who criticizes Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and its oppression of the Palestinian people. It is, of course, ridiculous to claim that criticism of a government is the equivalent of racism. But accusing people of being anti-Semitic has always been a powerful weapon used by supporters of Israel and this is just a variation of that weapon. It aims to throw the widest net possible and capture anyone who dares criticize Israel.

MP: How does it work for Israel?

Murray Dobbin: Except for a few journalists and commentators who refuse to be intimidated, it may have the effect of making people think twice about expressing criticism of Israel. Anyone familiar with the various pro-Zionist organizations know that they will attack anyone and everyone who expresses any criticism of Israel. I think this is particularly true of politicians – very few of whom have had the courage to speak out. Of course the irony here is that Israel continues down a road of hate and oppression which has already severely undermined its claim to be democratic and humanist. Politicians who refuse to criticize Israel are not doing it any favours. They effectively endorse policies which are completely at odds with Jewish culture and history and these are supposed to be the foundation of the Jewish state.

MP: What’s your take on the BDS movement and its future under American pressure?

Murray Dobbin: The BDS campaign is extremely important just as the similar campaign to end Apartheid in South Africa was so important in bringing down that racist regime. The US will continue to oppose the BDS because it is Israel’s sponsor and banker. The US, of course, could change Israeli policy overnight if it chose to just by threatening cut off aid. There are many in the US, including in the US military, who believe supporting current Israeli policies is no longer in the US interest – but they are still in the minority and the Israeli lobby is still very powerful. But a strong BDS campaign in the US could over time provide the basis for some real change in US policy.

MP: What role has Canada been playing in undermining the BDS campaign and other anti-Israeli movements?

Murray Dobbin: None of the federal political parties in Canada, except the Green party, including the governing Liberals have been willing to criticize Israel in any meaningful way. While Canada is a small country, it is nonetheless quite influential internationally and genuine criticism of Israel from the Canadian government would have a real impact. But until the pro-Palestinian groups can bring greater pressure to bear, and persuade more Canadians of Israel’s crimes, the situation is not likely to change any time soon. The NDP used to be more courageous on the issue but Thomas Mulcaire is openly supportive of Zionism and will not allow any of his MPs to say a single critical word about Israel. Hopefully, a new leader might show more courage.

MP: How much influence does Israel have over America and Canada’s foreign policies? Has it increased in recent years?

Murray Dobbin: Israel certainly has an enormous influence on Canadian Middle East policy. And until a political party at the national level takes a stronger stand on these issues, little will change. Regrettably, because all the parties are similarly reluctant to take a strong stand, we have never even had a serious debate about Middle East policy, particularly on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With the Harper Conservatives gone we might see a slight improvement and a more balanced approach but don’t expect the Trudeau government to take any political risks – for example by condemning Israel’s plans for expanding settlements. Foreign policy is all about domestic politics and all the parties have calculated that there is little to be gained by supporting Palestinians.

MP: How do you see the future of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks? Is there a path towards reaching peace in near future?

Murray Dobbin: I think the whole notion of peace talks is dead so long as the Likud Party under Netanyahu is in power. Israel has already made it clear that it will only negotiate once the Palestinians have given up on every item on the table. That’s not negotiation, that’s colonialism. Netanyahu has said explicitly that he will never allow a sovereign Palestinian state. We are entering a stage where the only option is a one-state solution in which case it will become a struggle against Israeli apartheid and against the whole concept of the Jewish state. I fear that will be an uglier fight than the fight against apartheid in South Africa because a large segment of Jews in Israel see Palestinians as less than human. In order to justify the vicious oppression of Palestinians, the state and other Israeli institutions had to completely dehumanize Palestinians because to treat other human beings in this manner is so clearly unacceptable. But by doing so it makes peace between the two peoples extremely difficult to achieve.

Murray Dobbin, now living in Powell River, BC has been a journalist, broadcaster, author and social activist for over forty years.He has been a columnist for the Financial Post and Winnipeg Free Press, contributes guest editorials to the Globe and Mail and other Canadian dailies and now writes a bi-weekly column for the on-line journals the Tyee and rabble.ca.