Statement by Minister Jason Kenney Condemning Israel Apartheid Week
Ottawa, March 6, 2012 – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement on ‘Israel Apartheid Week’:
Like many Canadians I am concerned with the rise of anti-Israel activities on campuses across Canada, culminating in the so-called ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ (IAW), which is often promoted in a manner that disregards the rights and safety of Jewish students and professors.
Universities are meant to offer an environment in which academic discourse can take place freely. Jewish faculty and students have the right to engage in this debate without feeling the need to conceal their identity, or to self-censor.
The irony of this week cannot be overlooked. While singling out the only liberal democracy in the Middle East for condemnation, the organizers of IAW ignore Bashar Al-Assad’s brutal slaughter of his own people and the suppression of basic human rights throughout many countries in the Middle East.
Debate over Israeli policy is legitimate and encouraged through academic dialogue. Israel, as the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, encourages such free exchanges of ideas. However, there is a point at which well-intentioned debate is overrun by hatred and intolerance; creating a toxic environment that prevents meaningful dialogue on important issues from taking place.
The organizers of Israel Apartheid Week use the cover of academic freedom to demonize and delegitimize the State of Israel. In reality, this week is nothing more than an unbalanced attempt to paint Israel, and her supporters as racist. This week runs contrary to Canadian values of tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding.
As Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I call on all Canadians to reject anti-Semitism and all forms of racism, discrimination and intolerance, which are unacceptable and completely contrary to Canada’s fundamental values.
http://www.jasonkenney.ca/news/statement-by-minister-jason-kenney-condemning-israel-apartheid-week/
MP Mark Adler Condemns Israel Apartheid Week in the House of Commons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku8Jjz8G_iQ&list=UUBld9yMTg6m2ffyNKuDxlyw&index=1&feature=plcp
To be more accurate, Harper said he preferred a diplomatic or non violent solution which of course does not say at some time in the future (date unspecified) an attack might be necessary. This is definitely not what Bibi wished to hear. He wants the green light for an immediate attack and he remains very much alone in this quest.
I would imagine that Obama had a word with Harper and Harper didn’t have to put his two cents in , in favour of dropping the diplomacy.
I haven’t heard Harper say he is against an Israeli attack on Iran. But if he is, then I agree, one cannot be a true friend if they oppose Israel acting to save itself from annihilation.
Harper against an Israeli attack-against Iran
The impact to Canada if Israel attacks Iran
“Gas prices would soar:”
Is an Israeli attack inevitable? Ottawa Citizen
Canada Like America are friends up to the point where they may have to pay an economic price. Jews are expendable on the alter of economic stability and profits to others. Nothing new or surprising here except how Jews have fawned over leaders who say positive things when they are for the most part cost free.
HARPER AND CANADA HAVE SHOWN HEIR TRUE COLORS AS FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS.
Wow someone in authority who is not afraid to speak the truth! What is this world coming to?
Hate to nick-pick, but Minister Kenney might have pointed out that Israel is in fact the only country in the Middle East that is not an apartheid state. He could have stressed the moral inversion and Orwellian double speak of the Muslims who organize, carry out and promote this lie are themselves guilty of the heinous crime of apartheid and use our freedoms, which they can only dream of, as weapons against our liberal democracy.