Rick Ekstein: Naheed Nenshi told me he was a friend of the Jews. Then came that apology

Most Canadians think of the Calgary Stampede as 10 days of rodeo, cowboy hats, pancake breakfasts and country music.

They’re right. But they’re only seeing half the picture.

For those of us involved in business, public policy, diplomacy and community leadership, the Stampede is also Canada’s largest networking event. Across the city, hundreds of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions are hosted by businesses, charities, industry associations, political parties, diplomats, lobby groups and community organizations.

Over 10 days, thousands of people move from one event to another. Premiers meet CEOs. Cabinet ministers meet community leaders. Opposition politicians meet ambassadors. Relationships are built, ideas are exchanged and differences are discussed.

This is not unusual. It is the job.

The annual Jewish community reception is simply one of those hundreds of events. Politicians from every level of government and every major political party attend. They are not there to endorse every position held by the host organization. They are there because showing up, listening and engaging with Albertans is part of public life.

I attended this year’s reception on July 3.

Earlier in the afternoon, I spent several minutes speaking with Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi. I was accompanied by my colleague, Anna Tran.

I walked over and said something to the effect of, “You probably don’t remember me, but we’ve met a few times over the years.”

Without hesitation, he smiled, shook my hand and replied that while he couldn’t remember my name, he remembered meeting me.

I laughed.

“That’s a pretty good politician’s answer.”

He smiled but insisted he genuinely remembered me. He recalled that I had served on the board of CIJA and asked what I was doing these days.

I have to admit, I was impressed.

I told him that much of my time is now devoted to combating antisemitism and supporting the State of Israel. Half joking, I asked whether he considered himself a friend of the Jewish community.

His response, as I remember its meaning rather than its precise wording, was immediate. He said the Alberta NDP had separated itself from the federal NDP on these issues and wanted Alberta’s Jewish community to know it had friends in Alberta.

I left that conversation with a genuinely favourable impression.

A short time later, I saw Mr. Nenshi chatting with my friend, former premier Jason Kenney, someone who has earned the Jewish community’s respect over many years through both words and actions.

Unable to resist, I walked over and joked, in substance, “Jason, Naheed tells me he’s every bit as good a friend to the Jewish community as you are.”

Mr. Nenshi immediately replied that he was.

My recollection is that Jason’s response was one of those priceless, knowing expressions that needed no words.

The entire afternoon was friendly, relaxed and completely unremarkable.

In fact, I spent the following days telling people how impressed I had been with Mr. Nenshi. I described him as thoughtful, articulate and remarkably good at remembering people. I also said I thought it showed character that he attended a Jewish community event during a time when many Canadian Jews feel increasingly isolated.

Some friends laughed at me. I defended him.

Then came July 16.

After photographs appeared showing Mr. Nenshi with Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed, he issued a public statement apologizing to those who had been hurt by the image. He emphasized that the photograph was not an endorsement of the Israeli government and reiterated his criticism of Israel’s actions.

He is entitled to those opinions. That is not what disappointed me.

Meeting an ambassador is not an endorsement of every action taken by that ambassador’s government. If it were, Canadian politicians could scarcely meet representatives of China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey or countless other countries whose policies they openly criticize.

Diplomacy exists because governments disagree. Leadership is tested when the pressure arrives. Not before.

When the photograph became controversial, Mr. Nenshi had a choice. He could have simply said:

“Yes, I met Israel’s ambassador. Meeting ambassadors — especially those of democratic allies — is part of my job. I have nothing to apologize for.”

That would have been leadership. Instead, he apologized for the meeting itself. That decision spoke louder than any photograph ever could.

It told Alberta’s Jewish community that meeting them was acceptable — but that being publicly associated with the representative of the world’s only Jewish state had become a political problem.

Real leaders don’t apologize for doing their job. They explain it. They defend it.

And when the pressure comes, they stand behind it.

Mr. Nenshi did none of those things.

He chose political calculation over conviction.

— Rick Ekstein is a proud first generation Canadian, son of Holocaust survivors, businessman, advocate, and philanthropist.