Canadian Jews Mourn loss of Lt. Daniel Mandel in War on Terror

Toronto, April 15, 2003

For Immediate Release

Toronto, April 15, 2003… B’nai Brith Canada expresses its sadness at the loss of another young life in the war on terror. Lt. Daniel Mandel, a dual Canadian and Israeli citizen, was killed while apprehending a Fatah-linked terrorist during an early morning operation in Nablus. Residents neighboring the house of Lt. Mandel’s killer have told the press that the terrorist was a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Mandel, 24, a resident of Alon Shvut, immigrated to Israel some 15 years ago with his family.

Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada, commented “Yet another young soul has been taken in the struggle to safeguard Jewish lives. Daniel Mandel represented the loftiest ideals of our community, and his sacrifice bears remembrance and gratitude from those whom he died protecting. Lt. Mandel sought to arrest this terrorist, and though he came out with two others who were surrendering, he pulled out a pistol and shot the soldiers. We demand that our government cease trying to stay the hands of the IDF as it works to eradicate terror.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, urged action. “While the Canadian government has acted to ban the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade from Canada, it has egregiously left untouched the Canadian operations of the Tanzim militias from whom al-Aqsa recruits its members, and the umbrella Fatah movement, parent to both organizations, led by Yasser Arafat. Canadians must remember that Fatah means conquest. That is the goal of Arafat’s terrorist minions, and it was in defense against such conquest that Daniel Mandel gave his life.”

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For further comment, please contact Rochelle Wilner at 416-254-1010

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.