OTTAWA Keith Landy national president of Canadian Jewish Congress had a frank and cordial meeting today with Ken Georgetti president of the Canadian Labour Congress. Jack Silverstone CJC executive vice president also attended the meeting held at the CLCs headquarters in Ottawa.

Today marks the beginning of a priority commitment by Canadian Jewish Congress to bridge the gap that has unfortunately developed in recent years between the Jewish community and organized labour in Canada, stated Mr. Landy. Everyone present recognized the pivotal contribution of the Jewish community to the historical development and growth of the labour movement in Canada. That is why the community was so hurt by the passage of recent union resolutions and the CLCs policy statement on the Middle East that in our view were unfairly critical of Israel.

We were pleased that Mr. Georgetti was very receptive to restoring the relationship between the two organizations and we agreed to explore ways in which we could work constructively together in a Canadian context. Mr. Georgetti informed us that he would be heading a CLC leadership delegation to the Middle East in November to gain firsthand perspectives in meetings with Histadrut officials in Israel and representatives of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, stated the CJC president.

Mr. Silverstone noted a consensus for inter-organizational cooperation pertaining to human rights issues and combating racism and discrimination that are common to our Canadian agendas.

Stephen Benedict, National Director, International Department of the CLC, accompanied Mr. Georgetti. Director of Government Relations Eric Vernon rounded out the CJC delegation.

Contact:
Eric Vernon
Director of Government Relations
ttCanadian Jewish Congress
ttt613-233-8703 XT 225
tericv@cjc.ca