CANADIAN JEWS DEMAND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO COMBAT TERRORISM

August 16, 2001

For Immediate Release

Toronto, August 16, 2001… In light of the discovery of Islamic terrorist websites operating out of Canada, B’nai Brith Canada officials have held serious high level discussions with the Intelligence Forces of Canada. The introduction of these hate sites and the recruiting programs add a heightened sense of concern within the Canadian Jewish community and police forces. The sites operating out of Montreal and Toronto contain virulent antisemitic epithets and glorify suicide bombing in Israel.

Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada, who recently visited Israel, expressed her concern that “these sites are obscene and an affront to the sensibilities of all Canadians. That Canada should be used to recruit killers is unacceptable. It is imperative that the Canadian public understand that the threat of creating terrorist cells in this country is now a reality.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, added, “Consultations with the intelligence services are of an ongoing nature for B’nai Brith Canada. In light of these recent developments it is imperative that we urge Parliamentarians and the Government to provide ample resources to CSIS to conduct appropriate surveillance of potential terrorists in this country as well as to move effectively to seal Canada’s borders to terrorists. Canada cannot be seen as a safe haven or point of transit for Islamic terrorists. We intend to make this a priority with the government.

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B’nai Brith has been active since 1875 as the country's senior advocacy and volunteer agency. Its Institute for International Affairs was established to monitor human rights issues worldwide, and covers the issues of Nazi war criminals within its mandate.

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