Independent Jewish Voices (Canada) has launched a video to challenge Thomas Mulcair's positions on Israel and Palestine. According to IJV, Mr. Mulcair's leadership campaign represents an electoral coalition with Canada's Israel Lobby.

Lorne Nystrom, the national co-chair of Mr. Mulcair's leadership campaign and a former long-time NDP MP, is likely familiar to many who follow federal politics. However, many NDP members may not be aware that Nystrom currently sits on the board of this country's major pro-Israel lobby group, which actively campaigns in support of the Israeli government's inhumane and repressive policies towards Palestinian and other non-Jewish citizens.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is Canada's umbrella Israel Lobby group (also known as AIPAC North). While it claims to be the "official" voice of Jews in Canada, IJV Canada believes that CIJA doesn't represent Jewish interests, but rather the interests of the rich one percent who self-interestedly dominate the Israeli economy.

It is deeply troubling that Nystrom sits on the board of one of the most reactionary organizations in Canada, with some of the leading apologists for Israel's violations of international law including former Conservative cabinet minister Stockwell Day. The choice of Nystrom as a campaign co-chair is a clear reflection of Mr. Mulcair's self-professed unwavering support for "Israel... in all circumstances."

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/ijv/2012/03/ijv-canada-urges-ndp-members-not-vote-thomas-mulcair