For Immediate Release
Montreal, April 19th, 2002 — Following a series of antisemitic incidents that have taken place in Montreal in the last several weeks, the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada has expressed serious concern about the increase in the number and severity of these attacks.
Professor Stephen Scheinberg, National Chair of the League, stated: “What is taking place is absolutely unacceptable.” Scheinberg’s remarks were in response to an attack on Jewish students from the Centre Hillel on Gatineau St., near the Université de Montréal. “B’nai Brith has documented numerous antisemitic incidents that have taken place in Montreal and throughout the country in the last couple of weeks. We know far too well what is going on in Europe, particularly in France, and we hope attacks against Jews in Canada are not allowed to reach that level”, added Scheinberg. Professor Scheinberg called on local leaders of Montreal’s Arab community and all faith communities to “remind your sisters and brothers that there is no room in Canada for racism or antisemitism, even in the guise of a political cause.”
According to eye witness accounts, approximately fifteen individuals accosted three Jews not far from the Centre Thursday night, pushing and kicking them, following a soccer game. Witnesses claim throughout the evening, the alleged attackers, who were playing a soccer game were heard shouting “Allahu Waqbar”, “Death to the Jews”, and “Death to Israel”. After the soccer game they jumped over the park fence and attacked students from the Centre Hillel who were pushed and kicked. One of the soccer players then pulled out a knife and uttered death threats.
The assaulters then escaped Me. Steven Slimovitch, a criminal lawyer and a national legal counsel for B’nai Brith Canada stated: “The right to express a political opinion in a free and democratic society does not include the right to engage in criminal conduct.”
B’nai Brith asks the Governments of Quebec and Canada to speak out against the antisemitic attacks that have targeted Canadian Jews, including in Quebec.
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Prof. Stephen Scheinberg, National Chair of the League for Human Rights: (514) 696-5991
Me. Steven Slimovitch, National Legal Counsel: (514) 871-8971
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.
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