For Immediate Release
Toronto, October 18, 2001… While B’nai Brith Canada is supportive of attempts to promote the cultural agendas of Canada’s many ethnic and religious communities, it regrets that a Arab-Canadian art exhibit which opened today at the Canadian Museum of Civilization has marred an otherwise thought provoking presentation by the inclusion of one particular video presentation.
Rochelle Wilner, National President of B’nai Brith Canada, commented: “There is broad support in Canada for the goals of multiculturalism as expressed in this art exhibit, and we encourage all Canadians to share their thoughts and experiences in creative ways. However, Mr. Salloum’s video attacks on the policies of the Israeli government is an inappropriate one-sided promotion of hostility and divisiveness at a time when we should be focusing on strengthening the links between communities, not driving a wedge between them.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice-President, noted: “The cultural dimension of the immigration experience is crucial to understanding the existence of diverse communities in Canada. However, Mr. Salloum’s video is not cultural, it is political. Not only is it political, but it is presented completely out of context. A national museum, funded by Canadian taxpayers and seen by Canadians and tourists alike as a representation of what Canada stands for, should have a greater responsibility to ensure that it is not used as a platform for partisan diatribes.”
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For more information, please contact:
Rochelle Wilner or Frank Dimant at (416) 633-6224
Institute for International Affairs
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