New Catholic Times

KAIROS, one of Canada's most respected organizations for its advocacy on issues of ecological justice, poverty and human rights, has recently made the news. In late November, there was the cutting of funding from the Canadian International Development Association (CIDA), then again in mid December, at the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism in Jerusalem, Jason Kenney , the Minister of Citizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism, inferred that the anti-Semitism of KAIROS was the reason for the cutting of funding. Supporting his claim, Kenney claimed that KAIROS took a leadership role in the boycott of Israeli goods.



 KAIROS, is sponsored by many Christian denominations and organizations including my own Jesuit community, and represents a total of 18 million Christians. It has a long tradition of collaboration among the major Christian denominations in Canada. KAIROS and its justice coalition predecessors have set a standard for cutting across divisions to work together for the building of a better world, a standard envied by Christians in other countries.



I have had extensive involvement with the national office of KAIROS. The cutting of funding is wrong; the claim of anti-Semitism is false.



KAIROS and its predecessor coalitions have been receiving funding from CIDA for thirty-five years. CIDA officials gave an excellent review of its 2006-2009 programming, and in February, a CIDA evaluation stated that KAIROS' program is very much in line with CIDA policies. There was no reason to believe that a request for a further four-year funding would be denied.



After months of consultation with CIDA officials and making the adjustments suggested by CIDA officials, a request was submitted by KAIROS in August. The proposal passed various levels of approval at CIDA. The funding for the existing programs was extended to give Bev Oda, the Minister of International Co-operation, time to review the proposal. On the last day of the extension, the vice president of CIDA phoned the Executive Director of KAIROS with the news that funding for the next period has been denied. The reason given was that KAIROS no longer fit CIDA priorities. Oda, citing a change in CIDA priorities, has since repeated this reason in parliament and in the media.



Never informed

It is difficult to determine the particular CIDA priorities that are not being met. KAIROS staff have not been informed. The new priorities of CIDA, first articulated in August, are food security, children and youth and sustainable economic growth. In the fall, CIDA identified its overall strategic objectives "to reduce poverty, promote human rights and support sustainable development." The groups of the global South supported by KAIROS clearly meet these objectives.

So, perhaps as Kenney suggested, the KAIROS position on Israel was the real reason for the cutting on funding. Yet, this reason does not stand up to scrutiny either.

KAIROS desires justice and a lasting peace for all the communities involved in the struggle in Israel. Contrary to Kenney's claim, KAIROS has never led nor endorsed a campaign of general boycotts, divestments or sanctions against Israel. In the 2008 strategy paper on the advancement of peace between Palestinians and Israelis, KAIROS clearly affirmed the Israeli people's right for a secure and safe state "recognizing the long, terrible and continuing history of anti-Semitism, and the vital role of Israel to the Jewish people around the world" and further stated "KAIROS does not support any general boycott of Israeli products" and "any use of sanctions against Israel." While suggesting support for a limited boycott of Israeli products made in the Occupied Territories, KAIROS never took a leadership role in promoting this. Being critical of some of the policies of the Israeli government regarding the Occupied Territories does not make it anti-Semitic.



Since the cutting of funding, KAIROS has received the support of many organizations and individuals, many of them Jewish. In a letter to the Toronto Star two Jewish women expressed their shock and anger at the funding cut and stated, "To call Kairos anti-semitic is devastating to us as Jews. Kairos is not anti-semitic . . . Deeming their actions anti-semitic, devalues the term, and leaves us as Jews vulnerable in the times when real anti-semitism occurs."



Such an accusation also diminishes the attentions that anti-Semitism deserves, and detracts the conversation away from the real issues.



Kenney's accusation an insult

An inference of anti-Semitism against KAIROS is a charge against its collective board, all members representing their denominations and organizations. Our churches have consistently denounced anti-Semitism and racism and have worked to build bridges between faiths and cultures.

Kenney's accusation is an insult to these efforts, and unfairly labels churches and its leaders.



The funding cuts raise disturbing questions about the integrity of Canadian development aid decisions, and harms CIDA's international reputation. There should be a transparent process in the establishment of the priorities of CIDA, and these should not be subject to political interference of this sort.



Like many, I am still at a loss for the actual reason KAIROS suddenly lost favour with our federal government. Without an adequate explanation, I am left guessing, and tempted to draw other conclusions. Many of the public positions of KAIROS, from climate change to issues of mining in the global South are at variance with the policies of our present government. KAIROS sponsored a fact-finding tour of church leaders of the tar sands. This type of activity from KAIROS is not new; KAIROS has not hesitated to challenge the governments of the day. Many would see this healthy dialogue and debate as good for public participation and essential for our democracy. Some government officials in the past, while not agreeing with KAIROS policy, have embraced this.



Whatever the reason for the cut in funding, painting KAIROS with the anti-Semitism brush is especially vindictive. It has unjustly tarnished the reputation of this fine organization preventing it from doing much of its good work. An apology from Kenney and our Prime Minister is in order. Funding must be restored. CIDA's actions and the fallacious accusation will hurt the poorest of the poor of the Global South.



Archbishop Tutu states it best when he stated, "The world needs more of KAIROS Canada" and called our government's actions "an unparalleled setback for the poor, vulnerable and disenfranchised."
 
Jim Profit works at the Guelph Jesuit farm.