Canada condemns Israel Apartheid Week

[WHAT DOES OBAMA HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT]

Statement — Minister Kenney issues statement regarding ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ 

“Everyone in this country has the right to freely and publicly express their views. That being said, I share the concerns of other Canadians about the reckless and overheated rhetoric associated with anti-Israel activities on many Canadian university campuses, and the toxic manner in which these activities are often carried out.

“There is no better example than the so-called ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ (IAW). Its organizers and participants have a regrettable history of promoting and holding events in ways that disregard the security and rights of Jewish faculty and students, censor other points of view, and limit academic discourse.

“The disproportionate vitriol directed against the democratic State of Israel during ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ stands in stark and ironic contrast to the silence of IAW organizers on the ongoing atrocities committed by the Syrian regime against its own citizens, and on the rampant brutalities and denial of rights in non-democratic countries in the Middle East, and elsewhere in the world.

“In free societies such as Canada’s and Israel’s, it is absolutely legitimate to debate and criticize government policies and practices. Indeed, Israel supports the right of free expression more than any other country in its part of the world. But with the freedom to criticize comes the responsibility to guard against hateful and intolerant rhetoric.

“Operating under the guise of academic freedom, Israel Apartheid Week is a misleading attempt to delegitimize and demonize the only true liberal democracy in the Middle East. IAW’s organizers choose to promote inflammatory propaganda over civil and enlightening debate. Their approach is at odds with the Canadian values of tolerance and mutual respect, and prevents meaningful dialogue from taking place.

“As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I encourage Canadians to speak out against all forms of discrimination, intolerance and anti-Semitism.”

March 5, 2013 | 12 Comments »

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12 Comments / 12 Comments

  1. I am not sure to what extent Dean is correct as a generalization of mainstream Jewish groups.

    Believe me, Bill, I have heard the stories of past Zionist students, students who now have great careers, speak of the intimidation by mainstream groups and their proxies on campus to silence their efforts to challenge IAW with anything more than feel good campaigns that skirt the issues.

  2. There is also the problem of students who fear anything even slightly bold. One student group, when recently asked by another student to post Jason Kenney’s condemnation of IAW, refused on the grounds it was too provocative. They have made similar decisions when the students among them did anything to confront the menace of IAW. The mainstream organizations have raised a generation of people so intent on solving problems through “dialogue” that they are not up to the task of speaking up for themselves or challenging people who hate them (preferring to blame or partially blame Israel as the cause of these tensions). Mainstream groups continue to downgrade the impact of IAW because it fits into their mandate to hide and not fight back in any meaningful way. The JDL do the heavy lifting as others do nothing and rely on groups that do nothing. Then these same groups have the nerve to criticize the JDL and make them into pariahs in the eyes of their constituents.

  3. “Regardless of where the opposition to equal exercise of free speech comes from, the time has come to develop methods, and organized groups that will work towards those ends, especially on campus.”

    Listen to the sage speak. His inefficacious crowd remind me of the Hebrew proverb, “He who observes the clouds shall never sow.” What a joke.

  4. “This is not to suggest the resurrection of organizations such as the JDL.”

    “resurrected”? Actually, we never died. Where have you been? We’ve been on the streets and in the news all over the place. Thank G-d it wasn’t left up to you to defend the Jews of Canada. People like you make me sick to my stomach. If you don’t approve of us, come out to some of the protests (instead of sitting on your ass in front of your computer!) and talk to us, tell us how we can improve. We’d love to hear from you, face to face. Are you afraid of the enemy? Or you maybe want to show them you have good manners, lay down your head on the block for them?

    Evildoctor, I know the Jewish bikers! Zaza and Hugo were in Hamilton yesterday where we did security for an Israel Truth event. We’ve probably met. And thanks for your support. I was there at the al Quds and Khadr protests also. You guys scared the crap out of those jihadists! Well done!! There goes the neighbourhood!!

  5. Bill Said:

    This is not to suggest the resurrection of organizations such as the JDL.

    And what’s wrong with the JDL? I have a few friends in the JDL and have worked with them a few times to show some Jewish b*lls (which are
    too often in short supply). My Jewish motorcycle club has joined them to counter protest a boycott of Israeli wines on the eve of Passover (organized by the Jew-haters and their Jewish leftist friends) at one of Toronto’s largest liquor outlets. We also went out to Palestine House (where, I believe, the IAW was conceived) a few times to show them that there are Jews (non-stereotypical ones!) that will oppose them from time to time. Trust me that when 30 motorcycles roar up to these people they are most uncomfortable!

    Check out: http://www.jdl-canada.com/

  6. Canada? who forced the indidginos people onto reservations and called them the Fancy Ass name of first nations to make them feel better?

  7. I am not sure to what extent Dean is correct as a generalization of mainstream Jewish groups. Regardless of where the opposition to equal exercise of free speech comes from, the time has come to develop methods, and organized groups that will work towards those ends, especially on campus. That means no more free rein to those who would claim the right to those who would vilify Israel and the Jewish People, while, at the same time refusing the rights of others to hear opposing views. This is not to suggest the resurrection of organizations such as the JDL. But developing controlled, responsible, visible shows of strength protecting Jewish students, and the rights of those invited to campus to speak, have now become essential. It is good to be righteous, comprehending and comprehensive. It is more important, however, to first survive.

  8. What happened to David Horowitz “Islamic Apartheid Week” he created to counter IAW lies?

    Effective actions taken by very bold Jewish student leaders in the past on campus have been met with more opposition from the mainstream Jewish groups and university administrations (and big Jewish donors to these universities) than from their Islamist/leftist opponents. Ways have been found to humiliate Jewish students into silence and in one case I know of – the shutting down of Zionists on campus. You cannot imagine the opposition to Jews on campus and the Jewish mainstream are as bad as Islamists when it comes to suppression of free speech and opposition to pushing back with an equal but opposite force. Compounding this is the fact that Jewish students feel overwhelmed and they’d prefer to hide on the advice of the same organizations that shit on Zionist students who have the courage, leadership abilities and brains to tackle the challenge.

  9. We have the best government on the face of the earth in Canada at this time. Too bad Jews do not give them their unqualified, unanimous support. I fear that any Liberal or NDP government will reverse all the gains. I also fear that Jewish groups who have depended on their lobbying efforts rather than old fashioned activism would be left in the dust if the Conservatives were not in office. These groups have, for the most part, marginalized activists and abandoned students, not even supporting pro-Israel events or the events of Christian Zionist supporters. I know of one federation that took 2 weeks to respond to a request for one lousy ad to announce an event at a church because the leftists among them were uncomfortable with some of the speakers or heard unsubstantiated rumors or that some individuals to their right were organizing the event (which upset the leftists greatly). We have some very pathetic, self-centered silly fools minding these Jewish organizations (and a few good ones as well).