Genius
Posts: 953 
Location: Calgary, AB
Location: Calgary, AB
August 16th, 2006, 05:55 PM
OTTAWA -- Israel’s ambassador to Canada has taken Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe sharply to task for participating in a pro-Hezbollah rally.
Alan Baker sent Duceppe a strongly worded letter last week expressing “shock and disappointment” over Duceppe’s participation in the Aug. 6 march in Montreal.
Baker called the demonstration “blatantly anti-Israeli.”
“I find it inconceivable that the leader of a major Canadian political party lends support and associates his name and that of his party, to a demonstration that glorifies a terror organization that has been outlawed in Canada and that shamelessly seeks the elimination of the state of Israel,” he wrote.
In a teleconference Tuesday with journalists and others, Baker described Hezbollah as “a gang of thugs.”
“I have no problem with demonstration and marches, but to take over the streets … where you have groups of incited people running around with flags swearing at Jews, I think this is the antithesis of Canadian values,” he said.
“Anybody who encourages this or who gives any part in this is making a very dangerous mistake.”
Duceppe marched with thousands of others — including Liberal MP Denis Coderre — in the protest. Some marchers waved Hezbollah flags and chanted anti-Israel slogans.
The Bloc leader said he took part to promote a ceasefire in Lebanon and to encourage Israel to react “with moderation” to Hezbollah attacks.
Baker wrote that Duceppe was seen as offering encouragement to Hezbollah and “forwarded a very sad and foreboding message to the people of Israel and to communities, both Jewish and Christian … that support Israel’s struggle against terror.”
In the teleconference, Baker said he plans to speak to the prime minister’s office and Foreign Minister Peter MacKay about a possible Canadian role in enforcing the United Nations-sponsored ceasefire in Lebanon.
He said he understands that Canada is heavily engaged in Afghanistan, but suggested the country could still contribute something to what is supposed to be a beefed-up UN presence in southern Lebanon.
He said Canada might be prepared to establish naval patrols to help curb arms smuggling.
It’s possible that Tzipi Livni, Israel’s foreign minister and vice-prime minister, might visit Ottawa to discuss Canada’s role, the ambassador said.
© The Canadian Press
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/n...829eec&k=46662
OTTAWA -- Israel’s ambassador to Canada has taken Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe sharply to task for participating in a pro-Hezbollah rally.
Alan Baker sent Duceppe a strongly worded letter last week expressing “shock and disappointment” over Duceppe’s participation in the Aug. 6 march in Montreal.
Baker called the demonstration “blatantly anti-Israeli.”
“I find it inconceivable that the leader of a major Canadian political party lends support and associates his name and that of his party, to a demonstration that glorifies a terror organization that has been outlawed in Canada and that shamelessly seeks the elimination of the state of Israel,” he wrote.
In a teleconference Tuesday with journalists and others, Baker described Hezbollah as “a gang of thugs.”
“I have no problem with demonstration and marches, but to take over the streets … where you have groups of incited people running around with flags swearing at Jews, I think this is the antithesis of Canadian values,” he said.
“Anybody who encourages this or who gives any part in this is making a very dangerous mistake.”
Duceppe marched with thousands of others — including Liberal MP Denis Coderre — in the protest. Some marchers waved Hezbollah flags and chanted anti-Israel slogans.
The Bloc leader said he took part to promote a ceasefire in Lebanon and to encourage Israel to react “with moderation” to Hezbollah attacks.
Baker wrote that Duceppe was seen as offering encouragement to Hezbollah and “forwarded a very sad and foreboding message to the people of Israel and to communities, both Jewish and Christian … that support Israel’s struggle against terror.”
In the teleconference, Baker said he plans to speak to the prime minister’s office and Foreign Minister Peter MacKay about a possible Canadian role in enforcing the United Nations-sponsored ceasefire in Lebanon.
He said he understands that Canada is heavily engaged in Afghanistan, but suggested the country could still contribute something to what is supposed to be a beefed-up UN presence in southern Lebanon.
He said Canada might be prepared to establish naval patrols to help curb arms smuggling.
It’s possible that Tzipi Livni, Israel’s foreign minister and vice-prime minister, might visit Ottawa to discuss Canada’s role, the ambassador said.
© The Canadian Press
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/n...829eec&k=46662
Genius
Posts: 998
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
August 16th, 2006, 05:59 PM
It wasn't a pro-Hezbollah rally, it was an anti-war rally and a demonstration against the disproportional attack and massive slaughter of Lebanese women and children by Israel. I think that Israel has a moral bankrupcy.
It wasn't a pro-Hezbollah rally, it was an anti-war rally and a demonstration against the disproportional attack and massive slaughter of Lebanese women and children by Israel. I think that Israel has a moral bankrupcy.
Super Genius
Posts: 1,133
Location: Montreal
Location: Montreal
August 16th, 2006, 06:52 PM
The politicians were there to support the peace process, NOT to support any form of violence. Of course, some Lebanese-Canadians will support Hezbollah... What do you expect? Obviously, some Hezbollah supporters were going to be at the demonstration. But this is no reason to put a blame on the politicians who assisted the rally. They all clearly expressed their support for the stop to any form of violence.
Some seem to want to make a big story out of all this but there's nothing there except maybe a dislike for Quebec.
The politicians were there to support the peace process, NOT to support any form of violence. Of course, some Lebanese-Canadians will support Hezbollah... What do you expect? Obviously, some Hezbollah supporters were going to be at the demonstration. But this is no reason to put a blame on the politicians who assisted the rally. They all clearly expressed their support for the stop to any form of violence.
Some seem to want to make a big story out of all this but there's nothing there except maybe a dislike for Quebec.
Clever Clogs
Posts: 510
Location: Pointy Rocks
Location: Pointy Rocks
August 16th, 2006, 09:53 PM
I totally support Israel smashing Hizbollah in southern Lebanon until the terrorist group can no longer launch rockets into Israeli territory.
Having said that, I don't condemn anyone that participated as pro-Hizbollah (though I think they are misguided pacifists with a twisted sense of reality). The march was not a pro-Hizbollah march, but an anti-war one. Some elements there may have been anti-Israeli but that is not to paint everyone that participated as such.
I totally support Israel smashing Hizbollah in southern Lebanon until the terrorist group can no longer launch rockets into Israeli territory.
Having said that, I don't condemn anyone that participated as pro-Hizbollah (though I think they are misguided pacifists with a twisted sense of reality). The march was not a pro-Hizbollah march, but an anti-war one. Some elements there may have been anti-Israeli but that is not to paint everyone that participated as such.
Member
Posts: 197
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
August 16th, 2006, 10:02 PM
Alan Baker sent Duceppe a strongly worded letter last week expressing “shock and disappointment” over Duceppe’s participation in the Aug. 6 march in Montreal.
Baker called the demonstration “blatantly anti-Israeli.
Hey Duceppe! Only one of us can be anti-Israel. Find your own terrorists, Jerk!
Alan Baker sent Duceppe a strongly worded letter last week expressing “shock and disappointment” over Duceppe’s participation in the Aug. 6 march in Montreal.
Baker called the demonstration “blatantly anti-Israeli.
Hey Duceppe! Only one of us can be anti-Israel. Find your own terrorists, Jerk!
