Ontario NDP Leader 'very angry' over MPP's antisemitic remarks
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Nov 21, 2022 • 1 day ago • 1 minute read
NDP MPP Joel Harden was told in a “forceful” manner to apologize for antisemitic remarks he made during an interview with Ottawa Forum last year, NDP Leader Peter Tabuns says.
Tabuns said he and the party will be prepared with more consequences if Harden does not honor his commitment to seek out education on this issue and never repeat his comments again.
“I was very angry when I came across the remarks, talked to my staff, we moved very quickly on this,” Tabuns said Monday. “I got in touch with the MPP. He has issued an unreserved apology. What he had to say was wrong, it was hurtful … I was really upset when I saw those remarks.”
In a statement Sunday, Harden apologized unreservedly to the Jewish community for his comments.
“I spoke in a way that perpetrated an antisemitic stereotype towards Jewish neighbours,” Harden said. “I regret my choice of words and sincerely apologize to the Jewish community. You have my commitment that it won’t happen again and I will continue to work with Jewish leaders who can help me understand antisemitism.”
During an interview with Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine, Harden said he had asked his Jewish neighbours how long “we should put up with this.”
The MPP for Ottawa Centre went on to say that the “single greatest origin of violence in the Middle East… is unquestionably the state of Israel and the way in which they feel absolutely no share in defying international law.”
Tabuns said these antisemitic statements and stereotypes are inappropriate.
“When you are harming people in this province, when you are harming the Jewish population of this province, that’s wrong,” he said.
aartuso@postmedia.com
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Nov 21, 2022 • 1 day ago • 1 minute read
NDP MPP Joel Harden was told in a “forceful” manner to apologize for antisemitic remarks he made during an interview with Ottawa Forum last year, NDP Leader Peter Tabuns says.
Tabuns said he and the party will be prepared with more consequences if Harden does not honor his commitment to seek out education on this issue and never repeat his comments again.
“I was very angry when I came across the remarks, talked to my staff, we moved very quickly on this,” Tabuns said Monday. “I got in touch with the MPP. He has issued an unreserved apology. What he had to say was wrong, it was hurtful … I was really upset when I saw those remarks.”
In a statement Sunday, Harden apologized unreservedly to the Jewish community for his comments.
“I spoke in a way that perpetrated an antisemitic stereotype towards Jewish neighbours,” Harden said. “I regret my choice of words and sincerely apologize to the Jewish community. You have my commitment that it won’t happen again and I will continue to work with Jewish leaders who can help me understand antisemitism.”
During an interview with Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine, Harden said he had asked his Jewish neighbours how long “we should put up with this.”
The MPP for Ottawa Centre went on to say that the “single greatest origin of violence in the Middle East… is unquestionably the state of Israel and the way in which they feel absolutely no share in defying international law.”
Tabuns said these antisemitic statements and stereotypes are inappropriate.
“When you are harming people in this province, when you are harming the Jewish population of this province, that’s wrong,” he said.
aartuso@postmedia.com
Ontario NDP Leader 'very angry' over MPP's antisemitic remarks
Ontario NDP Leader Peter Tabuns said he was "forceful" in his demand that NDP MPP Joel Harden apologize for antisemitic comments.
