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MPP Kaleed Rasheed Rescinds Certificate to Palestine House-Toronto

September 11, 2019

B’nai Brith Canada

TORONTO – The MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville has rescinded a certificate of appreciation that was extended to a Palestine House–Toronto representative because of past antisemitic tropes and remarks.

In August, MPP Kaleed Rasheed had presented a certificate to Amin El-Maoued, the former public relations chief of Palestine House. El-Maoued left the Mississauga-based group in July and incorporated a rival organization called “Palestine House-Toronto.”

“I was unaware of Mr. El-Maoued’s antisemitic views when presenting the certificate,” Rasheed said. “I thank B’nai Brith Canada for bringing this important issue to my attention. I abhor antisemitism and have been outspoken about this in the past.”

In July of 2017, El-Maoued led a hate-filled rally in Mississauga, where participants compared Israel to Hitler, proclaimed their desire for martyrdom and threatened violence against Jews.

“We are appreciative of MPP Rasheed’s efforts to rescind this ​certificate presented to Palestine House–Toronto representative Amin El-Maoued,” said Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of B’nai Brith Canada. “Hate and extremism should never be rewarded, no matter the party or level of government.”

Palestine House in Mississauga was stripped of its federal funding in 2012 due to what Ottawa called its “pattern of support for extremism.”