AVI LEWIS WANTS TO BE NDP LEADER

Quick Overview

Avi Lewis, running for NDP leadership, argues that the party must propose solutions that break corporate strangleholds on every sector and return to the organizing principles of the 1930s movement, rather than relying on the status quo or perceived soft support from groups like the Jewish lobby in Canada.

Key Points: Avi Lewis asserts that the government must offer solutions to break corporate monopolies across all sectors, viewing current corporate control as a market failure. Lewis criticizes the current narrative that equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, stating that the Jewish lobby in Canada uses this tactic to silence legitimate criticism. He draws a parallel between the current political climate and the 1930s era of fighting fascism, referencing his grandfather's role as a Jewish socialist organizer. Lewis notes that organizations like CIJA are well-funded and aggressive in lobbying Parliament, often silencing voices critical of Israel by accusing them of antisemitism. He mentions that his own campaign has generated a significant grassroots momentum, with over $180,000 raised in Vancouver Centre in the last election, and that the party needs to build power from the ground up. Lewis believes the two-state solution has served as a safe space for the Canadian political class and that the party needs to be more courageous in its stance against Israeli actions, including the genocide in Gaza. Samira Mohyeddin points out that the criticism against the NDP for neglecting its base is valid, suggesting the party is not engaging with young voters or grassroots activists effectively.

Context: This video features an interview conducted by Samira Mohyeddin with Avi Lewis, an NDP leadership candidate, likely during his campaign period. The conversation centers on Lewis's political vision, particularly his approach to corporate power, Canadian foreign policy regarding Israel/Palestine, and the need for a renewed grassroots organizing spirit within the NDP, drawing on his family's socialist history.