|
Author
|
Topic: Mayor Miller walks in support of apartheid Israel
|
Khaled Mouammar
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12649
|
posted 27 May 2006 08:30 PM
Mayor David Miller,
I find it shocking that you have decided to lead the "Walk for Israel" on Sunday May 28 in your capacity as Mayor of the City of Toronto.
You will recall that last year the Arab community expressed their anguish and concern regarding the participation of Chief William Blair in the "Walk for Israel" on May 29, 2005. On July 27, 2005 a delegation from the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) composed of Omar Alghabra, former CAF president and currently MP for Mississauga- Erindale; Elias Hazineh, president of Palestine House; Dr Reem Bahdi, law professor at Windsor university; and Gabriel Fahel, a Toronto lawyer met with Chief Blair and expressed the Arab community's consternation at Chief Blair's public support for the State of Israel. At the end of that meeting Chief Blair promised the CAF delegation that he would not participate in any future "Walk for Israel".
I find it very disturbing that you now have also decided to walk in support of Israel instead of demanding that our Chief of Police honour a promise he made to the Arab community by refraining from endorsing a state that consistently violates international law and human rights. Amnesty International in its 2005 report accused Israel of "committing war crimes and crimes against humanity." Noble peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was in the forefront of combating the apartheid regime of South Africa, "accused Israel of practising apartheid in its policies towards the Palestinians" (BBC News, 29 April 2002).
I find it inappropriate for the Mayor of Toronto to champion such a pariah state. I am confident that the City of Toronto would not publicly sanction any other country whose behaviour has been deemed to be contrary to international law and condemned at least 70 times in resolutions adopted by the United Nations. On July 9, 2004, the International Court of Justice found:
The construction of the wall being built by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, and its associated régime, are contrary to international law.
I find it incomprehensible that the Mayor of the City of Toronto who is elected to represent all the citizens of Toronto and to abide by its laws would publicly support a country that systematically violates international law and practices racism. When the Mayor of Toronto supports Israel it only serves to undermine the confidence of Toronto residents, especially the visible minorities and those of Arab descent, that they will be receiving fair and neutral treatment at the hands of a municipality that recognizes and respects the diversity of Toronto and does not tolerate discrimination.
Undoubtedly there is much to be done to combat racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Ensuring that the City of Toronto—especially its Mayor—is properly informed and educated will be one small step forward.
Khaled Mouammar
123 Hidden Trail Avenue
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4C 0H1
Tel.: 905-508-0562
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Mayor Miller, Police Chief Blair to lead Walk With Israel this Sunday[ 27 May 2006: Message edited by: Khaled Mouammar ]
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
ohara
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7961
|
posted 27 May 2006 08:42 PM
I have no recollection of ever reading anything in which Chief Blair claimed he would not walk to support Israel. I have checked the Toronto police site and can find nothing of the sort.Chief Blair is an honourable man, the walk for Israel is one of the largest Jewish events in the country. There are similar walks here in ottawa where politicians of all stripes join us. I am confidant that if there was a similar event for the Palestinian community the same would happen.
From: Ottawa | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Closed
), and his atrocious position on homelessness (he wants the homeless out of sight and mind, but still homeless 
