The organized Jewish Community will not participate in tomorrow's demonstration against the Charter

MONTREAL, Sept. 13, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Media reports have suggested that the Jewish community will be participating in tomorrow's demonstration against the Charter of Quebec values, organized by the Quebec Collective Against Islamophobia, among others. This is incorrect.  In fact, the organized Jewish community will not be participating.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs - Quebec (CIJA-Quebec), the official spokesperson for the organized Jewish community in Quebec is surprised that the organizers chose to hold the demonstration on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar.

The Jewish community has always been strongly in favour of the religious neutrality of the state and of the equality of men and women, both of which are sociological facts firmly established in Quebec. This is why CIJA-Quebec, as it has previously told Minister Bernard Drainville, believes the proposed Charter of Quebec Values, and its ban on religious symbols in the entire public and para-public sector is unjustified and unjustifiable, and will unnecessarily divide Quebecers.

The Jewish community speaks for itself and will not accept to be co-opted or manipulated by the dubious objectives of some of the organizers of the demonstration, who include religious radical fundamentalists with whom the Jewish community will never make common cause.

The Jewish community will continue to participate in this serious societal debate on the basis of a firm but respectful tone, via the media and through dialogue with our elected officials.

SOURCE: Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs

David Ouellette
Associate Director, Public Affairs (Québec)
514-294-4420

Luciano G. Del Negro
Vice-President (Quebec)
514-726-8311