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Canada May Propose Defining Boycott of Israel a ‘Hate Crime’
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Israel is the only country targeted by BDS.
The pro-Israel Canadian government may be planning to include boycotts of Israel as a hate crime, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported Monday.
It said that such a move would target organizations such as the United Church of Canada, Canadian Quakers, campus protest groups and labor unions. It also would raise legal questions under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Canadian Prime Stephen Harper is unarguably the most pro-Israel head of any government in the world. He sounded like an echo of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel last year.
Recently-retired Foreign Minister John Baird in January signed an agreement with Israel to fight the Boycott Israel movement, and government ministers have said they will show “zero tolerable” towards groups that are part of Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS). He described the Boycott Israel movement as “the new face of anti-Semitism.”
Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney recently said that boycotts of Israel cannot be separated from anti-Semitic hate speech and the recent terrorist attacks against Jews in France.
CBC asked the government to explain the meaning of “zero tolerance,” and Blaney replied that Canada has “one of the most comprehensive sets of [hate] laws anywhere in the world.”
Last year, Canada changed its definition of hate speech to include statements made against “national origin” and not just race and religion.
That has raised fears among civil libertarians that anti-Israel remarks could be classified as statements against Jews.
The concept of associating Israel with Jews goes at the very heart of the liberal Jewish community, as well as Jews who have no interest in Judaism in Israel. Whether they like it or not, hatred of Israel and Jews increasingly makes them identified with Israel by the fact that they are Jews.
They can like it or not, but inevitably, “Jew” cannot be separated from “Israel.” They can like it not, but the “People of Israel” means Jews – everywhere.
The question is whether that definition has a legal standing.
CBC reported that the Canadian Quakers wrote a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson in March “expressing concern” about describing boycotts as acts of anti-Semitism.
Blaney’s office did not specifically say that would be the case but noted that it is illegal to promote hatred against an “identifiable group.”
However, BDS protests in other parts of the world have been anything but violent, with frequent clashes with police such as in France.
In Israel, it is against the law to boycott the country
In France, hate speech as a crime includes statements aimed at people’s “national origin,” and BDS activists sometimes have been charged with violating the law.
Belgium is considering a similar law.
On paper, it would seem that prohibiting a group from promoting a boycott of a country – and Israel is the only nation that is targeted – because of its political polices is a violation of freedom of speech.
In reality, such protests are often like the Palestinian Authority term “resistance,” a code word to encourage terrorists to kill Jews.
About the Author: Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu is a graduate in journalism and economics from The George Washington University. He has worked as a cub reporter in rural Virginia and as senior copy editor for major Canadian metropolitan dailies. Tzvi wrote for Arutz Sheva for several years before joining the Jewish Press.
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Oh Lord bless Canada
And may GOD BLESS you’s all
I like this guy!
As a Jew, I believe that all people should be free to think what they wish about others. If any choose to boycott Israel, then let them do so — but there are consequences for their actions that no mere man is able to impose.
In this world of blind hate for the Jew coming from muslims, who threaten with violence and force many others to go their way, it is difficult to believe that there are strong and kind people who stand up for what they believe.
Canada is really kissing behind the Zionist entity
Please explain Ali Haji Tabar
Agreed
Good for CANADA!!
Wow! That’s perfect law to protect Jews.
Huge country!
Good idea 😀
Ozero will go after Canada’s leader next..like he did Netanyahu.
About time!!
Great respect for Canada!!!!!
GOD bless Israel
yES !
Thank you Canada!
Blessing Israel Blessing Canada
You would rather Canada kissed the Muslim behind, as so many countries are doing? I don’t see you complaining about that.
Maybe I will move to Canada.
I only wish the US had a supportive government.
Wow!!
God bless Israel and Canada
Great news!
YES!!!!
He already has.
YES!!! This is a good step forward. Thank you Canada.
yes. zero tolerance for hate crime. it time for the world defining all call for boycott israel as a hate crime today in 2015. [ as was german in the 1930’s ] this canada propose will stop all hate crime.
I agree
Canada, always leading the way to do the right thing. 😀
Israel is our best friend and ally. We stand with canada! shame on you America for treating the apple of God’s eye so shamefully.
good
Go Canada! You have the guts needed to stand up! Thanks!
Maybe we should flee to Canada!
Thank you again, Canada. Bless you
May HaShem give many brachas to Canada, its people and, especially, its leaders…first and foremost Prime Minister Stephen Harper, retired Foreign Minister John Baird and Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney. Thank you from all of the Jews worldwide for setting such a wonderful example and from the Israeli people. May G-D bless you and shine His light on you and your loved ones…in good health…to 120!
righteous wisdom from G-d!!
The true friends. Canada, India and a few others that can see through a fog of lies.
God bless them
<3
ABOUT TIME GOOD FOR YOU CANADA
God bless Canada.
YES stand strong with Israel……..yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!! Amen