Prime Minister Carney’s announcement that Canada would recognize the State of Palestine this fall raises again the idea of a 2 state solution envisaged by the United Nations in 1947. Jews saw it as a historical necessity. But to the Palestinians, it appeared that the UN had given international approval for the confiscation of over half of their country. Was it fair? Should the UN reconsider the justness of the original idea? OFIP invites you to a public discussion/debate.
Can historical wrongs be righted? Some can, some cannot. Canada cannot reverse the historical wrong of the disastrous residential school program. The psychological and social damage has been done. But a first step to righting any historical wrong is to recognize that it was a wrong. And then try to understand what can be done to make things right.
To the Palestinians, the UN “Partition plan” was a “wrong”. It was a European “confiscation” of over half of their land as a way to right the wrong of European antisemitism.
To European Jews, and to many others, the creation of a Jewish State in Palestine seemed like the best way of offering protection to Jews who had been so terribly wronged for so many years. Not perfect solution, of course, but the best of available options.
On November 27th 1947, the UN General Assembly voted (UNGA 181) in favour of the “partition plan” by a vote of 33 – 18 with 10 abstentions. Canada voted in favour of the plan. (The Palestinians, whose country was being carved up, did not get a vote, as they were still under British control.)
UNGA 181, like other resolutions of the General Assembly, was “non binding” on UN members. It didn’t have the force of law, but it played a significant role in shaping international opinion. It provided international backing for the idea of taking some Palestinian land to create a Jewish State.
But was the UN recommendation “fair”? Was it wise? Given over 78 years of constant conflict should it be reconsidered – or even rescinded altogether?
Some might ask, what’s the point? Isn’t it all water under the bridge? Some might even worry that it would enflame tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. OFIP invites you to a public online debate.
Invitation to a public on-line debate
“BE IT RESOLVED: that the UN should rescind UNGA resolution 181, commonly known as the “partition plan for Palestine”
Monday, August 18, 2025
7:30 PM, Ottawa/Toronto Time
Arguing in favour of the resolution: Rabbi David Mivasair and Peter Larson
Arguing in opposition to the resolution: Arthur Milner and Robin Collins
The discussion will be carried out as a Zoom meeting open to all OFIP members and friends. It will be moderated by retired Canadian Ambassador Rick Kohler, a member of the OFIP Council of Advisors. After short initial presentations and discussion, time will be allowed for audience participation
By registration only. To register click HERE
Canada Talks Israel Palestine (CTIP) is the weekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion in Canada about Canada’s response to the Israel/Palestine issue with a focus on the truth, clear analysis and human rights for all. Readers with different points of view are invited to make comment.
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Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 
I am looking forward to this discussion/debate. I have a question. Would the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 19th, 2024 not unofficially accomplish something similar? I realize that just about all countries that were supposed to do all within their power to make sure the opinions would be executed have not done so. The Advisory Opinion, as far as I understand, includes that the settlements need to be dismantled, the occupation is to end, all people are to have equal status under the law, the right to return needs to be honoured and there is to be restitution. Had all the countries that were supposed to execute these opinions done so it would be the one state solution as far as I understand. Michel Jan
Hi Michel Jan,
I defer to someone more expert than I in this matter. My understanding is the ICJ decision only dealt with Palestinian territories occupied by Israel after 1967. Am I wrong? https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204176. I think it ACCEPTED the division of Palestine as a fait accompli.The resolution under debate questions whether that division (or any division) was a good idea.
You are right it is for after 1967.
I would really like to attend but cannot do so at that time. Can a video be posted?
sure. Everyone who registers will get a copy whether the attend the event “live” or not.
A timely discussion. Canada’s track record in this entire intergenerational tragedy is abysmal, ironically and tragically a complete contradiction to everything we formally subscribe to as Members of the UN, and as we have enshrined in our own Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A moral dissonanace. We have become complicit in an iniquitous and unforgiveable co-contructed acquisence in depravity that we might have thought we left behind at Auschwitz and elsewhere.
David J.A. Douglas
Guelph