For Immediate Release
Toronto, September 11, 2001… Today’s terrorist attacks throughout the United States have emphasized the vulnerability of all democratic states throughout the world in the face of the ruthless agenda of terrorist groups, those who fund and equip them, and those who provide them with logistic and moral support. This assault, coming on the United Nations International Day of Peace, demonstrates the utter disregard of such groups, and the states that sponsor them, for civilized society and its attempts to work towards a culture of peace.
The vulnerability of Canada to attacks by such groups has led B’nai Brith Canada to issue an urgent alert to security officials and the immigration authorities relating to the planned entry into Canada of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on September 15, 2001 for a massive rally in Montreal. Individuals amongst these demonstrators may well have links to organizations that espouse, support or implement terrorist activities. B’nai Brith has been closely following the activities of such groups in Canada, including those that advocate jihad on websites operating from Canadian soil.
Rochelle Wilner, National President of B’nai Brith Canada in her condemnation of today’s attacks against the US, included the following call to Canadian government and security officials: “B’nai Brith calls for increased supervision of extremists already in Canada, some ensconced at our university campuses, who may have links to Islamic fundamentalist groups advocating terror. We are troubled that Concordia University has been chosen as the focus for a gathering next week that could include these groups, and we have asked immigration officials to be on the alert to bar the entry into our country of those bent on stirring up discord and hostility.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, commented: “We are troubled by media reports that Palestinians in the West Bank and Lebanon are dancing in the streets in jubilation on hearing of the massive loss of life sustained in today's terrorist rampage. All democracies must work together to stamp out the terrorism that threatens us all, whether it is the operatives that carry out these deadly attacks, those who support them, or those who allow them to operate freely in the territory under their control. They all share the same guilt.”
-30-
B’nai Brith has been active since 1875 as the country’s senior advocacy and volunteer agency.
For further comment contact
Rochelle Wilner at (416) 254 1010 or Frank Dimant at (416) 802 1010.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Due to today’s attacks, B’nai Brith Canada’s national offices in Toronto have been shut down, except for essential professional staff. This precaution is being taken because the organization has been in the forefront of initiatives to press for greater surveillance of operatives and websites within Canada that are linked to terrorist groups.
Institute for International Affairs
| Commission
on Jewish Culture
| Sports Corporation
| League
for Human Rights
| Publications
Current Press Releases
| Government Relations Office
| Centre for Community Action
| B’nai
Brith Foundation
The Jewish Tribune
| Links
| Canadian Jewish Law Students Association
| B’nai Brith Canada