|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Supporting Zionists and Christian-Front Traitors Media of war criminal and
Zionist’s Terrorist former Prime Minister of war criminal Israeli regime
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
Supporting Zionists Can West Global Communication
(Including 124 Newspapers, Magazines, Radio ,TV Stations)
National Post
Halifax Daily News
The Guardian - P.E.I.
The Province - Vancouver
The Telegram - St. John's
The Montreal Gazette
The Ottawa Citizen
The Standard - St.
Catharines
The Windsor Star
The Calgary Herald
The Edmonton Journal
The Leader Post - Regina
The Star Phoenix -
Saskatchewan
The Vancouver SunBROADCASTING
GlobalTV.com
Global Toronto
Global Ottawa
Global Atlantic
Global Winnipeg
Global Regina
Global Saskatoon
Global Calgary
Global Edmonton
TVforBC.com
CHEK Victoria
CHTV Hamilton
CHBC Okanagan
Network TEN Australia
TV3 New Zealand
TV4 New Zealand
TV3 Republic Of Ireland
UTV Northern Ireland
Montreal riot silences NetanyahuSean Gordon
Citizen SpecialTuesday, September 10, 2002
The Canadian Press Protesters smashed windows at Concordia University yesterday during a violent demonstration that forced the cancellation of a speech by former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Montreal Gazette A Jewish and a Palestinian demonstrator try to make peace during a rally at Concordia University yesterday. Police used pepper spray after demonstrators smashed windows and threw rocks.ADVERTISEMENT
A violent fracas between demonstrators and riot police forced the cancellation of a speech by Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, prompting the former Israeli prime minister to accuse the protesters of supporting terrorism and "mad zealotry."
"What are they afraid of? Hearing the truth?" Mr. Netanyahu asked.
"These people are an example of the worst kind of militancy in the world today," Mr. Netanyahu said.
He condemned the actions of "thugs" and "mad zealots" who are "anti-Canada, anti-freedom and anti-free society."
The speech was cancelled moments after riot police clashed with a group of about 200 flag-waving, chanting demonstrators. The group occupied the main hall of a university building in protest of Mr. Netanyahu's visit.
Bedlam ensued when supporters shattered a window, prompting police to reply with a stream of pepper spray. The protesters then scattered as police with batons and riot shields stormed up the escalators.
"What we saw today wasn't a demonstration, it was a coercive riot to prevent free speech," said Mr. Netanyahu, who had been scheduled to speak at about noon.
He added the protesters are "supporting Saddam Hussein, they're supporting Yasser Arafat, they're supporting Osama bin Laden."
The former Israeli leader's speech drew hundreds of protesters to Concordia's downtown campus, many of whom were exultant after word spread his speech had been cancelled.
"I am happy today. We have proved that we can achieve our national goals if we are united. Even if it is something symbolic like a lecture by the war criminal, Netanyahu," said Ayad Qasem, who wore a traditional Palestinian headdress.
"We want peace but we will not abandon our rights. Today we have defeated Netanyahu and we will continue to work like that," added Mr. Qasem, an electrical engineering student at Concordia.
Mr. Netanyahu suggested the federal government should not tolerate the type of protest that took place yesterday, and took a gentle swipe at security arrangements.
"I think the people of the government of Canada should not allow these types of interference with the basic rights that Canadians hold dear to take place. I think it's important to take all the necessary measures in advance, and during such events to facilitate free speech," he said.
Today, Mr. Netanyahu will meet with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and give a luncheon speech in Ottawa. He will then give a speech in Toronto, where more protests are planned.
The tumult provoked a swift reaction from the university, which declared a temporary moratorium on "all Middle-East related student activity on campus." Concordia rector Frederick Lowy said the moratorium would be temporary, but that a "shameful event" such as yesterday's riot cannot be allowed to happen again. However, no details were provided on how the moratorium will be enforced.
Police arrested five during the course of the afternoon, during which several windows were smashed. One person was arrested for assaulting a police officer, one for resisting arrest and three others for unlawful assembly.
Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay said he didn't have a problem with freedom of expression, but there had to be a balance with security.
"It's a bad day for democracy," Mr. Tremblay said. "We have to balance democracy and freedom of speech with the security of people, it's not always easy but we have to learn from this experience and make sure it never happens again."
Middle East relations are a contentious issue at Concordia.
In August 2001, two students were suspended for spray-painting anti-Israeli slogans on school property. Last fall, the student council's pro-Palestinian leanings outraged pro-Israeli groups on campus. Their anger was fuelled by last fall's student handbook -- called Uprising -- which opened with a poem praising the Palestinian intifada.
The event's organizers expressed dismay the speech had to be cancelled, but remained defiant.
"Nobody worked for us. Police and security didn't help us, we still got people in here ... the bright side is that despite the intimidation and hatred we were able to gather here for the cause of Israel," said Patrick Amar, one of the speech's organizers.
Mr. Netanyahu's visit to Montreal was sponsored by Concordia's Hillel chapter, the Quebec section of the Canada-Israel Committee and the Winnipeg-based Asper Foundation.
The foundation was established by Canwest Global chairman Israel H. Asper.
© Copyright 2002 The Ottawa Citizen