For Immediate Release
Toronto, December 18, 2001 — B’nai Brith Canada today expressed its satisfaction with the government’s decision to remove the artificial distinction between the “military” and “charitable” wings of the Hamas terrorist organization. In its newest directive to Canadian financial institutions, the government has quietly ordered that the entity previously listed as Hamas-Izz al-din as-Qassem henceforth be delineated in its entirety as Hamas on the list of organizations whose transactions are tracked and assets frozen.
Rochelle Wilner, National President, stated: “This recognition by our government is certainly a step in the right direction. The artificial differentiation between the military and charitable wings of terrorist groups has no place in the war against terror. One has to wonder, therefore, why this crucial announcement was made in such a muted and understated way.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, commented: “We are glad that our government is finally acknowledging that any activity of a terrorist organization constitutes support and succour of terrorism. There can be no equivocation on this issue, which applies equally to all terrorist organizations worldwide.”
-30-
For further comment call Rochelle Wilner at (416) 254 1010
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s senior human rights organization. Its Institute for International Affairs was established to monitor human rights issues worldwide.
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