TEL AVIV — Canadian Indigenous appellate justice Harry LaForme said on his inaugural visit to Israel that the Jewish state represents an “Indigenous triumph” and not a colonial enterprise, as he spoke at Tel Aviv University’s annual Democracy Forum in May.
LaForme, a member of the Anishinaabe and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and a retired judge, began his address by acknowledging Indigenous land, stating he stood on “the homeland of the Indigenous Jewish people.” He emphasised that Judaism and Israel trace their ancestral roots back at least 4,000 years.
Labelled a self‑described “Indigenous Zionist,” LaForme rejected comparisons between Palestinians and Canada’s First Nations as inaccurate and offensive. He said Israel’s ancient and uninterrupted connection to the land gives the Jewish people a stronger claim to indigeneity than other groups. “I don’t know of anyone who can claim indigeneity more than the Jewish people in Israel,” he said.
LaForme reflected that his legal career, shaped by Canada’s history of settler-colonialism, fuelled a deep sense of kinship with the Jewish experience of territorial restoration. Describing the visit as “a dream come true,” he said he learned “all about this impossible country” during the trip, reinforcing his admiration.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates. Some pro-Palestinian activists draw parallels between Indigenous struggles in Canada and Palestinian claims, invoking shared colonial narratives. LaForme disputed these parallels, saying they oversimplify complex histories and undermine the historical legitimacy of Jewish self-determination.
LaForme, who in 2004 became the first First Nations justice appointed to a Canadian appellate court, is a widely respected legal scholar and former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. His outspoken defence of Zionism marks a notable voice in Canada’s Indigenous community.
This article is based on verified information from The Times of Israel and public records.