INVITE NETANYAHU TO CONCORDIA, B’NAI BRITH URGES

’University should not be held hostage to violence and intimidation”

Montreal, September 10, 2002

For Immediate Release

Montreal, September 10, 2002… In the aftermath of a riot by an anti-democratic mob of anti-Israel agitators, B’nai Brith Canada has decided to challenge the Rector’s decision to impose a moratorium on all Middle East related activity by both pro-Palestinian and Jewish student groups.

Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada, stated: “By this action, the Rector has effectively punished the victims along with the perpetrators. There is no justice in stifling those who abide by university standards along with those who abuse them. It is the organizers of this riot who should be sanctioned. Jewish students acting responsibly should not be subject to the same restrictions.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, called upon Rector Lowy and the Board of Governors to issue an invitation to Mr. Netanyahu to return to speak at the campus immediately. “It is incumbent upon the university to demonstrate that it will not be held hostage by those who seek to intimidate and terrorize. I urge them to identify the perpetrators of yesterday’s violence and to continue to pursue charges against the individuals and organizations responsible.”

Professor Stephen Scheinberg, Chair of B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights, stated: “Almost a year ago we warned of the poisoned environment being created at Concordia leading to the harassment and abuse of Jewish students on campus. We also issued an alert last week that violence was likely to occur at yesterday’s event following the rhetoric of the protest organizers. In the circumstances, the authorities were ill prepared to counter the agitators and protect students and visitors.”

B’nai Brith has requested an immediate meeting with Rector Lowy of Concordia University and with the director of the Montreal Police to review security procedures and discuss criminal charges. In cooperation with Jewish students and faculty, BBC will be pursuing code of conduct charges against identifiable individuals and organizers of yesterday’s violence, including recognized and registered campus groups.

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For Further Information, please call
Professor Stephen Scheinberg at 514-696-5991, or 514-848-2401
Rochelle Wilner at 416-254-1010
Frank Dimant at 416-802-1057

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.