Canadian Official Denounces Israeli Apartheid Week

(Hat tip-Orange County Independent Task Force on Anti-Semitism)

Statement by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff regarding Israeli Apartheid Week
Published on March 1, 2010
OTTAWA - Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement today:

“On university campuses across the country this week, Israeli Apartheid Week will once again attempt to demonize and undermine the legitimacy of the Jewish state. It is part of a global campaign of calls for divestment, boycotts and proclamations, and it should be condemned unequivocally and absolutely.

Apartheid is defined, in international law, as a crime against humanity. Israeli Apartheid Week is a deliberate attempt to portray the Jewish state as criminal.

The activities planned for the week will single out Jewish and Israeli students. They will be made to feel ostracized and even physically threatened in the very place where freedom should be paramount -- on a university campus.

Let us be clear: criticism of Israeli government policy is legitimate. Wholesale condemnation of the State of Israel and the Jewish people is not legitimate. Not now, not ever.

The very premise of Israeli Apartheid Week runs counter to our shared values of mutual respect and tolerance, regardless of nationality, race or creed. It is an attempt to heighten the tensions in our communities around the tragic conflict in the Middle East.

On behalf of the Liberal party of Canada and the Parliamentary caucus, I urge all Canadians to join with us in condemning Israeli Apartheid Week, and to reject, in principle, all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance, both within this country and around the world.”
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Fousesquawk comment:

Canada, like the US, is experiencing this ugly annual charade of Israel Apartheid Week on its university campuses during the month of March. These events are hosted and supported by the usual collection of radical Islamists, left-wing student groups anti-Semites, and radical faculty members. It is refreshing however, to see some Canadian politicians taking a stand and speaking out. Kudos to Mr Ignatieff.

We need our own national leaders to be speaking out on this outrage. Where are they?