Montreal Jewish Community Condemns Second Intimidation Attempt by anti-Israel Extremists

MONTREAL, Aug. 8, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Montreal Jewish community condemns and thwarted yet a second attempted act of intimidation in just three weeks by anti-Israel extremists.

At 4:40 PM, yesterday, anti-Israel activists strategically entered Cummings Square, the home of Federation CJA and numerous other Jewish organizations in Montreal, with a view to intimidating the community and causing a scene. They accused the community of complicity with so called "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza. These individuals also affirmed their opposition to Israel's very right to exist, while qualifying Quebecers as "settlers " and calling for an end to the "occupation" of the Americas, including Quebec.

Federation CJA, the central organization of the Jewish community of Montreal, and its advocacy body, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), condemn this latest attempt to spread misinformation about the Jewish Community of Montreal and unfounded allegations about Israel, so as to incite hatred against the Jews of Quebec.

It is clear that Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in many European countries are escalating to violent anti-Semitic riots.  The group's argument that anti-Zionism should not be conflated with anti-Semitism is misguided at best, as they have clearly aligned themselves with those pro-Palestinian militants in Montreal looking to establish a similar climate of hate and violence here in Montreal. Yesterday they failed to do so.

The group's mission was not to engage in dialogue or frank discussions, but rather to disrupt and create a scene.  Contrary to their claim of having "occupied" the building the group was escorted out of the building quickly and effectively by security personnel and the police. 

Federation CJA is proud to stand with Israel in times of peace as in times of war; to stand with Israel, a lone democracy in the Middle East fighting against the Palestinian shackles of international Islamism that has been wreaking absolute havoc all over the world.  We respect the right of every Quebecer to express his or her opposition to the policies or actions of the Israeli Government, just as all Israeli citizens are free to do in the democratic State of Israel.  We will not, however, offer a platform to those – Jews or non-Jews – who deny the right of Israel to exist as a free, democratic and Jewish state.

Federation CJA will continue to implement measures to ensure the security of our community's institutions and CIJA will continue to sensitize the public in Quebec of the legitimacy of Israel's fight against Islamic terrorism. This kind of stigmatization and intimidation of the Jewish community of Montreal is an assault on democracy, the civic society, and the pluralism of Quebec. 

We call on our fellow citizens to strongly reject all forms of intimidation aimed at all communities living in Quebec.

SOURCE: Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs

Eta Yudin, Associate Director, Public Affairs, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, 514-885-5177