B'nai Brith Canada

News Release / Communique

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CANADA-PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL "WILL PROMOTE HATRED AND DIVISIVENESS," SAYS JEWISH HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP

September 20, 2004

TORONTO -- B'nai Brith Canada has expressed its objections to the "Canada-Palestine Film Festival," which premiers in Winnipeg on Yom Kippur this weekend, citing the politicization of what is being presented as an "artistic" initiative.

"The very title of the festival, 'Images of Occupation and Resistance in Israel-Palestine,' denotes an attitude that is prejudicial and harmful to Israel, and blatantly misrepresents the facts on the ground.  The usage of the term 'resistance,' all too often a code word in the Middle East lexicon to legitimize terror operations against Israeli citizens, underlines the inflammatory nature of this event," stated Frank Dimant, B'nai Brith Canada's Executive Vice-President.

"Amongst the films being screened is Jenin, Jenin -- which perpetuates the lie, now long exposed of a so-called 'Passover massacre' allegedly perpetrated by the State of Israel, and Route 181 -- which was only authorized for release in France, subject to the requirement that venues must first notify audiences of the unilateral and inflammatory nature of the film's content.  Surely, such rabble-rousing tactics which incite hatred and divisiveness should not be disseminated under the guise of artistic license, in Winnipeg or elsewhere," continued Dimant.

"B'nai Brith is also concerned by the timing of the Festival, which coincides with the Jewish High holiday of Yom Kippur.  To hold the festival on the holiest day of the year for Jews precludes an effective voice from the Jewish community to counter this blatant anti-Israel propaganda.  It also gives rise to troubling safety issues, given that hatred generated by some of the films could very well spill out onto the streets.

"B'nai Brith has contacted the Mayor of Winnipeg and the city's Chief of Police to register its concerns and to request additional security measures be put into place to ensure the safety of the Jewish community.