STEELES MEMORIAL CHAPEL Subscribe to BOOK NOW @ Yo u r Community Chapel jewishcanada.ca www.goisraeltravel.com since 1927 For on line bookings to Israel and elsewhere, Call Jay Mandelker at 905 770 3300 ext. 333 905-881-6003 FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY ALERTS or 1-888-900-4747 November 23, 2006 / Kislev 2, 5767 Publication Mail Agreement #40011766 Circulation 62,530 Largest Jewish Weekly in Canada Ontario Human CN CEO receives Rights Award of Merit Code changes Plan aids taxpayers, charities need A new and creative tax plan, resulting in major benefits for Canadian taxpayers – while also greatly assisting Canadian charities is now available. The plan, developed by Park Lane, input: is available across the country to all taxpayers. Above, Stephen Freedman (left), vice president of Park Lane, presents the first in a series of major donations to B’nai Brith’s Pearl B’nai Brith Gladman and Leonard Golberg. To personally benefit from this tax plan, call Freedman toll-free at 1-866-852-4244. In its submission last Wednes- day to the Ontario Standing Committee on Justice Policy, Noisy anti-Israel the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith voiced its opposi- protest met with JDL tion to Bill 107 – An Act to amend the Ontario Human PHOTO: BPL PHOTOGRAPHY counter-protest Rights Code, characterizing it CN’s E. Hunter Harrison receives prestigious Award of Merit by B’nai Brith Canada’s as seriously weakening human National President Gerry Weinstein at a gala dinner held in Montreal last week. During the hour before the Uni- in helping to organize the rally. rights protections in Ontario. By Mike Cohen their efforts to enhance the social, cultural, corporate versity of Haifa tribute dinner to When asked who she was, she Recommending that Bill 107 Tribune Correspondent or political life of Canada. Tony and Elizabeth Comper. declined, fearing that giving her be shelved and broader public “Hunter Harrison’s visionary leadership cuts across about 50 pro-Palestinians cause name to the press would in her consultations be undertaken, MONTREAL – Before a packed room of more than the corporate and community sectors, and spans the staged a noisy anti-Israel words, “jeopardize my job.” Toni Silberman, immediate past 800 at Montreal’s Windsor Station, B’nai Brith Cana- North American continent,” said Weinstein. “His demonstration at the parking Organizations which openly chair of the league, Ontario da’s Quebec Region paid tribute last week to E. strong corporate citizenship and profound commit- entrance to the Royal York endorsed the rally included region, said: “There is no ques- Hunter Harrison, president and CEO of CN. ment to helping those in need are reflected in his Hotel, protesting the event campus-based socialist groups, tion that the commission’s Guests at the elaborate affair were each given star ongoing philanthropic initiatives, many focusing on inside. which have taken part in similar complaints process is in need treatment as they entered Windsor Station on a red children and creating a safer environment for them.” About 30 members of the Jew- rallies for the past 35 years, plus of review, revision, refinement carpet, immediately being swept up in the festivities. Harrison joined an eminent group of past Quebec ish Defense League and other a group called Not in Our Name, and resources to operate more The B’nai Brith Award of Merit Gala drew an eclec- Award of Merit recipients, including this year’s Trib- supporters of Israel staged which describe themselves as “a efficiently. And who better to tic crowd spanning the corporate, political, social ute Committee Co-Chairmen, Michael J. Sabia, chief counter-protests. group of Toronto-based Jewish inform that review than those and cultural communities of Canada, who participat- executive officer of Bell Canada Enterprises, and for- While there were some heated dissidents, holding an informa- who require and use the system ed in a night of magic and history as the old train sta- mer CN chief Paul Tellier. As tributes to Harrison verbal exchanges between the tion picket outside of the Royal – not just lawyers, but the tion was transformed into a spectacular venue. poured in from across the country, many of Canada’s two sides, a heavy police pres- York Hotel.” clients.” B’nai Brith National President Gerry Weinstein and leading business executives, politicians and commu- ence discouraged any physical When the woman leader of the As the league pointed out, Executive Vice President Frank Dimant presented nity leaders attended the event, including former Que- escalation. group was asked to identify her- replacing the commission with Harrison with the organization’s Award of Merit, the bec Premier Lucien Bouchard. A woman CUPE member who self, she declined. a “direct access system” whose Canadian Jewish community’s most prestigious hon- Noted broadcaster Robert Scully served as the mas- took part in the counter-protest, Not only did the rally carry lots track record has been unsuc- our. The award is reserved for individuals who have waving an Israeli flag, told the cessful elsewhere in Canada contributed to the fabric of Canadian society, through See AWARD, page 8. Jewish Tribune that Ontario See HAIFA U, page 3. “fails to take into account such CUPE played an “unofficial” role key issues as the public inter- est” and could undermine the protection of human rights in Harper advocates human rights at APEC, Ontario. “The announcement by Attorney General Michael response to Jewish, Muslim communities Bryant of new amendments to the bill, even before the pub- B’nai Brith Canada and the Canadi- briefing after the summit ended. threatened. Mr. Celil, as a Canadi- Uyghur Canadian Association, political party in China in 1994. lic hearings are complete,” an Uyghur Association asked the However, Harper did not elaborate an citizen, has the right to consular echoed these sentiments and had His political detention and impris- said Silberman, “raises con- Harper government to take the on what the discussion might yield. access by Canadian officials. We called on the Canadian govern- onment are merely an extension of cerns about whether the opportunity presented by the APEC “We stand together with the hope the government’s consistent ment to continue its efforts on the the ongoing harsh crackdown Ontario government is really summit to highlight the case of Uyghur Muslim community on this foreign policy emphasizing human Celil file. He said, “We deeply campaign by China against the committed to the public con- Huseyin Celil, an Uyghur Muslim issue,” said Frank Dimant, B’nai rights and democracy, whether at appreciate the commitment of Uyghur community. It is of para- sultation process, and fails to who holds Canadian citizenship Brith Canada’s executive vice pres- the UN or other international fora Prime Minister Stephen Harper to mount importance to our commu- allay our concerns about the and is being imprisoned in China ident. “As the Jewish community such as APEC, will lead to bridge- advance the case of Mr. Celil as a nity that Mr. Celil have his human flaws in the Bill.” and denied consular access. knows too well, it is necessary for building between all communities high priority issue at the APEC rights respected, and to see him For full submission, see Prime Minister Stephen Harper all groups to speak out when an in Canada.” Conference. Mr. Celil has done speedily returned to his family http://www.bnaibrith.ca/pdf/Jus- said he did just that in his press individual’s human rights are Mohamed Tohti, president of the nothing wrong except forming a here in Canada.” ticePolicySubmissionNov06.pdf. INSIDE TREES IN ISRAEL • THE PERFECT GIFT P. 2 – New UN council, same tricks JEWISH NATIONAL FUND P. 3 – Tension rises on campuses OF TORONTO P. 9 – ‘JDL is back in business’ (416) 636-TREE OR (416) 638-7200 P. 10 – Jewish Book Fair highlights • To Remember • To Honour • To Celebrate Any Occasion P. 12 – Iran-Israel war in a year: Analyst • To Support • To Say “I Care” • To Congratulate 2 - The Jewish Tribune - November 23, 2006 www.jewishtribune.ca NEWS New UN Human Rights Council Olmert must go, 53 per cent up to same old tricks dissatisfied Israelis tell poll Conservatives’ The passing of this resolution East. In fact, they deflect the atten- JERUSALEM (Arutz-7) – A poll Similarly, more than half of the brings the total number of coun- tion of the council from pressing released last Tuesday night showed respondents – 53 per cent – said response try-specific resolutions passed by human rights catastrophes world- that the Israeli public is thoroughly Olmert should resign his post or praised the council since its inception to wide and allow the many human dissatisfied with the current gov- call new elections. four, all anti-Israel, and none of rights abusers in the UN system ernment leadership. The majority Former National Security Coun- B’nai Brith Canada has charac- them targetting the world’s human virtual immunity.” of respondents think that the IDF cil head Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Giora terized as a “sham” the latest right abusers. In a related development, the Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz Eiland said it “will be difficult” for attempt by the newly inaugurat- “Was this the huge reform of the Liberal Parliamentarians for and Defence Minister Amir Peretz Halutz to remain in office, given ed United Nations Human Rights UN human rights system that was Israel, co-chaired by MP Anita should resign their posts, accord- OLMERT: TIME TO GO? the numbers. Speaking on Chan- Council to condemn Israel. The meant to follow the demise of the Neville and Sen. David Smith, are ing to a Geocartography poll. Only 17 per cent of Israelis nel 1 TV, Eiland said the rank- body met last Wednesday in an UNCHR?” Dimant asked.