For Immediate Release
B’nai Brith Canada is gravely disappointed with Canada's decision to send a representative to the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention in Switzerland this week. A few months ago we watched as a political debacle, coupled with rabid antisemitism, was thrust upon the UN sponsored World Conference Against Racism in Durban by a handful of radical countries and fanatical NGO's. A group of these countries have once again petitioned and reopened a 1999 protocol, which had set aside a proposal to condemn Israel. The sole objective of the League of Arab Countries and the International Organization of the Islamic Conference is to have the conference, on December 4th and 5th, pass biased, politically motivated resolutions contrary to the intent of the Geneva Convention. These proposals are intended to single out and condemn Israel for utilising her legitimate right to defend herself.
Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada stated: “In the wake of this weekend’s terrorist attacks on Israel the need to fight terrorism in Israel and world-wide has become painfully clear. Canada should not be party to the efforts of a handful of radical states, some of which support or justify the actions of known terrorist organizations, to hijack an International Organization and misuse the Geneva Treaty Conference for political gain.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, commented “The participation of Canadian Diplomats is more than troubling, it is unconscionable. Canada has spoken out against terror, but by attending this conference it is lending credibility to those who would condemn Israel for taking a just stand against the terror it faces. The contradiction is unmistakable, and the discredit that participation in this fiasco will bring upon Canada’s reputation is indelible.”
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For further comment contact: Frank Dimant at (416) 633 6224
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s senior human rights organization.
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