Friends Of Simon Wiesenthal Center Applauds Canadian Government To Cut Hamas-Led PA Funding

March 29, 2006

NEWS RELEASE

FRIENDS OF SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER APPLAUDS CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO CUT HAMAS-LED PA FUNDING

TORONTO – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies applauded the Canadian Government for today’s decision to cut assistance and diplomatic ties to the Palestinian Authority.

“This initiative is a great building block towards peace in the region and sends the right message particularly after the results of yesterday’s Israeli election,” said Leo Adler, Director of National Affairs, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center. “The Canadian government’s decision is a courageous breath of fresh air,” he added.

Ottawa announced it was suspending assistance to the Palestinian Authority because the new Hamas-led government refuses to renounce violence and recognize Israel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said in a statement that Canada therefore had no choice but to suspend assistance to the Authority and decline contact with the new Hamas Cabinet.

The Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, added, “We note that the new Canadian government has become the first nation to formally refuse to deal with a government led by an antisemitic terrorist group dedicated to Israel’s destruction. We trust that other civilized nations will follow Canada’s lead.”

Leo Adler is available for interviews by calling (647) 297-1745.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST STUDIES 
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies is a Canadian human rights organization dedicated to fostering tolerance and understanding through community involvement, educational outreach and social action. With over 40,000 members of all faiths, it confronts important contemporary issues including racism, antisemitism, terrorism and genocide. Friends is affiliated with the world-wide, Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, an accredited Non-Government Organization with status at international agencies, including the United Nations, UNESCO, OSCE and the Council of Europe, with offices in New York, Miami, Paris, Jerusalem, Buenos Aires and Toronto.

Simon Wiesenthal died in 2005 after devoting his life to preserving the memories of the victims of the Holocaust, while simultaneously seeking justice for the war criminals.

Contact:   
Beth Merrick/ (416) 879-1440
bmerrick@tcgpr.com
David Eisenstadt/ 1-800-267-4476 x 36 
deisenstadt@tcgpr.com
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