The Canada-Israel Committee (CIC) was the official representative[citation needed] of the organized Canadian Jewish community on matters pertaining to Canada–Israel relations.

In seeking to enhance Canada-Israel friendship, the CIC liaised with government, media, business and the academic sector, often submitting briefs and providing background analyses on matters of public policy.

Because the war placed the CIC at the epicenter of Canadian decision making, the committee used its newfound influence to advance an Israel-centric foreign policy within Canada.

[1] The CIC's Toronto office performed Middle East research and published pertinent information to the news media, and the Ottawa branch focused lobbying efforts on the Canadian Parliament.

[3] The Canada-Israel Committee's operations were steered primarily by its board of directors, which composed of sponsoring organizations, representatives from various Jewish communities, and a compilation of other nationally influential Zionist groups.

In times of fast-moving developments or emergencies, the executive committee would take over the helm of the CIC and functioned under a flexible response regime.

This arrangement was naturally advantageous for the CIC because foreign policy itself was, and remains today, consolidated in Ottawa with the Canadian federal government.

[3] Regarded as highly reputable, the brief examined Middle Eastern current events, Israeli actions in the region, and Canadian policy, while providing recommendations moving forward.

[2] The brief, tailored for busy members of Parliament (MPs), was professionally designed with analysis presented on the broader Middle East, so as to not appear concerned solely with Israel.

Lobbies were sent out most consistently to the Secretary of State for External Affairs, and depending on developments in the Middle East, would meet through more informal channels.

Because the CIC's scope amalgamated the whole of Canadian Jewry into one, the diversity within the organization was immense, and consequently, the necessity to maintain a public face of unity was paramount.

[1] CIC largely internalized these discrepancies and avoided commenting on topics that would divide the organization's cohesion, such as counseling or rebuking Israel.

[2] Conversely, when policy was the point of division within the Jewish community, the CIC attempted to soothe disagreements by charting a middle course between conflicting preferences.

The event deeply split the ideological ends of Canadian Jewry into polarized camps, consisting of the political right and left.

[6] Those selected (approximately 5 per year), would be paired with a backbencher MP in Ottawa for nine months to assist with committee assignments, constituent services, and other duties.

The CIC billed the internship as an opportunity to gain valuable policymaking experience and position themselves to influence the public sector in the future.

Upon learning that Canada completed all relevant actions in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929, the CIC issued its support[11] of the government and prodded it to consider further sanctions for Iran.

Shimon Fogel, then CEO of the CIC, expressed appreciation to the Canadian government for its initiative: "The Canada-Israel Committee has worked hard with all parties in Ottawa to make the case for tough, peaceful measures against Iran's nuclear program... We are very grateful that the Canadian government, with the support of opposition members, has taken the lead in confronting the regime now.

This campaign was part of the CIC's aspiration for Canada to impose a full arms blockade of Gaza, and thus enhance Israel's security.

"[14] The CIC emphasized the shared values of both nations, urging the leaders to work for peace between Israel and Palestine while exploring solutions for the Iranian nuclear program.

[15] Garnering this level of support bolstered the likelihood with which the Canadian federal government would respond to public will and address the Arab boycott.

[15] Because of concerns that opposing the boycott would endanger Canadian relations with Arab states, the government under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau employed delay tactics on proposed legislation.

[15] When it became apparent PM Trudeau would not budge, the CIC implemented a damage control strategy over Canadian policy in the Middle East.

[3] A former civil servant of the Department of External Affairs, when speaking at a seminar on interest groups, considered the CIC to be the standard bearer for all lobbies to emulate.

[17] External Affairs minister Joe Clark spoke to the delegation, articulating a belief that placed Israel in the wrong with regard to Palestine.

Clark later retracted his statements by sending a letter to CIC chair Sidney Spivak, and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney spoke to the press, affirming his government's support for Israel.

"[18] 5) "To work in concert with all fair-minded and tolerant individuals and groups in Canada and abroad to counter the myths, inaccuracies and oversimplifications concerning Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

[20] CJIA leaders contended that differences between various organizations, including the issues they responded to and lobbied for, became almost non-existent, giving credence for the merging.

Perhaps due to the CJIA's size or unwillingness to consider alternative priorities, these people felt better serviced by the prior arrangement of Jewish organizations.

[19] David Howard Goldberg, Foreign policy and ethnic interest groups: American and Canadian Jews lobby for Israel, (1990), Chapter 3, The Canada-Israel Committee: History, Mandate, and Organizational Structure