Outrage and disbelief follow Chrétien’s reported offer of sanctuary to wanted terrorists

Toronto, May 9, 2002

For Immediate Release

Toronto, May 9, 2002 — Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s apparent offer of sanctuary to 13 dangerous terrorists at the top of Israel’s wanted list has been described as showing a “reckless disregard for the safety of Canadians”.

Rochelle Wilner, National President of B’nai Brith Canada, expressed her astonishment at such a notion. “Have we learned nothing from the Deschênes Commission? Is Canada to become a haven for a new generation of criminals? Will Al Qaeda terrorists be eligible for Canadian assistance as well? And what would the reaction of our American neighbours be, in the midst of their war against terror, if they felt Canada entertained any such ideas.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, cautioned: “These men are wanted for the most violent and heinous crimes against Israeli civilians. They are members of terror groups that are proscribed even here in Canada under our new anti-terrorist legislation, and yet our Prime Minster has appeared to offer to lend them a helping hand.” “Every Canadian should be outraged.” Dimant added.

M. Steven Slimovitch, a criminal lawyer and National Legal Counsel for B’nai Brith Canada, stated: “We are deeply troubled at the ambiguity of the Prime Minister’s statements. Although he has denied that his comments signified a willingness to allow terrorists into Canada, his eager offer to help out in any way demonstrates the need to clarify an important principle: Canada would not be able to allow into this country criminals extraditable for such horrendous offences without violating both Canadian laws and the international anti-terror conventions it has signed.”

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For additional information contact:
Rochelle Wilner: (416) 254-1010
Frank Dimant:(416) 802-1057
M. Steven Slimovitch: (514) 871-8971

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization. Through its Institute for International Affairs, it monitors war crime cases worldwide.