For Immediate Release
April 2, 2002, Toronto — B’nai Brith Canada expressed its strong disagreement with and utter rejection of recent statements made by Canadian government spokesmen and Minister of Foreign Affairs Graham on the current situation in Israel. Canada criticized what it called a “disproportionate use of force” by the Israelis. Despite repeated questions during his press conference, Minister Graham refused to clarify what was meant by “disproportionate”. Further, the statement called on Arafat to merely “take all necessary action to condemn further violence.” Graham, when asked about this, unconscionably did not demand that Arafat give orders to stop the violence. Condemnation is not all that is needed from Arafat. The government’s assertion that this is all that it expects from him should mortify all Canadians.
Canada has said it supports the Tenet-Mitchell plans. The stated precursor to these plans is the total cessation of terror. As Arafat has done nothing to stop terror, it is incumbent upon Israel to do so. B’nai Brith calls upon Foreign Affairs Minister Graham to unequivocally condemn Palestinian terror, and to support Israel’s defense of its citizens.
Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada, asked “Did our government condemn the bombing of Zahwar Kili or Khost in Afghanistan as disproportionate? Has it said that the hunt for Al-Qaeda terrorists will only lead to further violence? Of course not. It is only Israel that is the subject of this odious policy. American responses to suicide bombings are applauded. Israeli responses are condemned. This Janus-faced policy shames the memory of the 20 Canadians killed in the World Trade Center attacks, and earlier Canadian victims of Palestinian terror as well.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, commented “It is becoming increasingly apparent that there is a double standard in the War on Terror. When Americans are attacked, Canada supports and even participates in an unremitting campaign to eradicate the terror infrastructure that is responsible. When Jews are attacked, when every day brings another suicide bomber and more civilian casualties, our government condemns an equally justified response. This criticism is unjustifiable, hypocritical, and it undermines the validity of our own contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The message should be clear: Terror must be fought until it is eliminated. The victims of terror deserve no less defense because they are in Netanya instead of New York.”
-30-
For further comment, please contact Frank Dimant at 416-802-1057, or Rochelle Wilner at 416-254-1010
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.
Institute for International Affairs
| Commission
on Jewish Culture
| Sports Corporation
| League
for Human Rights
| Publications
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