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Independent Jewish Voices Responds to B’nai Brith Reaction to Vancouver Muslim Speaker
11-29-2017
Vancouver -- B’nai Brith Canada yesterday released excerpts from a speech given in a Vancouver mosque in July, which they reported to the Vancouver police. Volunteer speaker Tarek Ramadan can be seen in videos posted to YouTube making inflammatory comments about Jews and calling for members of the Muslim community to contribute money for weapons for Palestine.
“Independent Jewish Voices Canada is dedicated to a just, peaceful resolution of the conflict in Israel-Palestine. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the irresponsible remarks made in that speech,” said Rabbi David Mivasair, spokesperson for the organization in Vancouver.
“However, we are also deeply concerned about elements in our own Jewish communities that advocate similar attitudes toward Muslims. B’nai Brith’s complaints would have more credibility if they also condemned similar views expressed by some Canadian Jews.
“Ramadan declared that the entire land of Palestine should be under Muslim custody. There are Canadian Jews who hold a parallel position and insist that it all should be under Jewish control. Others encourage young Canadian Jews to enlist in the Israeli army and enforce Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory.
“Independent Jewish Voices believes that resolving the crisis in Israel-Palestine requires rejecting all forms of racism and incitement, regardless of who engages in it.
“We will continue to work as Jews in solidarity with Muslims and members of all other communities who share our commitment to a just resolution through international law and respect for human rights.”
For further information, please contact:
Rabbi David Mivasair
Independent Jewish Voices - Vancouver
ijv-vancouver@ijvcanada.org
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