JEWISH COMMUNITY UNITED IN CALLING FOR OBERLANDERS’ REMOVAL

B’nai Brith Canada refutes Telegdi’s claim that it supports his position

May 9, 2001

For Immediate Release

Toronto, May 9, 2001… In the ongoing controversy ignited by Liberal MP’s Andrew Telegdi’s comments on the deportation of Helmut Oberlander, Telegdi has claimed he has the support of B’nai Brith, which is presently working together in coalition with a cross section of other Canadian groups to lobby for a fair and just immigration policy. However, B’nai Brith Canada’s participation in that effort in no way precludes its steadfast support for the removal of Helmut Oberlander, who was found by a federal court judge to have lied about his membership in an infamous Nazi murder unit in order to enter Canada.

Rochelle Wilner, the new President of B’nai Brith Canada, was unequivocal in her reaction: “The notion that B’nai Brith does not support the removal of Oberlander is outrageous. We have called vigorously in the past for his removal and continue to do so. To suggest otherwise is merely an attempt by Telegdi to bolster his statements, which make a mockery of due process in our courts in a case that has already dragged on for six long years.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, added: “B’nai Brith Canada has always worked to bring to justice those who have committed war crimes or lied about their membership in infamous wartime units. We have also pressed for reforms to streamline legislation governing citizenship and immigration. There is nothing mutually exclusive about these dual objectives. We believe that the present system is non-functional. The fact that Oberlander is still in Canada just proves this.”

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B’nai Brith Canada, active in Canada since 1875, is the community's senior advocacy and volunteer organization.

For more information, please contact:
Rochelle Wilner at (416) 254-1010 or
Frank Dimant at (416) 633-6224