Oct 17, 2003

CJC comments on Minister Graham’s response to Malaysian leader’s antisemitic attack Graham telephoned CJC president from Bangkok

OTTAWA — Foreign Minister Bill Graham today telephoned Keith Landy, CJC national president from Bangkok to provide an update on his response to the vicious antisemitic attack of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad at the opening of the Organisation of Islamic Conference summit. CJC had conveyed to his officials the community’s outrage over Mahathir’s diatribe and called for Canada to add its voice of condemnation to those of other international leaders both publicly and through the diplomatic sanction of “calling in” Malaysia’s High Commissioner.

Mr. Landy comments, “Mr. Graham concurred wholeheartedly that Mahathir’s words are deeply troubling knowing history’s lesson that evil deeds were preceded by evil words. The minister indicated that he had condemned the Malaysian leader’s statements in the press and that his Department had, indeed, called in the High Commissioner to deliver the message to the Malaysian government that Mahathir’s comments were unacceptable and violate basic Canadian values.”

In discussing how best to move forward from this disturbing incident, both the Minister and Mr. Landy agreed that here in Canada we must strategize on how to reach out to moderate Muslims to reject such hateful and fallacious perspectives and to dialogue with the Jewish community of Canada to promote cooperation and respect for diversity.

Mr. Landy continues, “I very much appreciated the Minister’s effort to reach out to our community in the face of this outrage as he has done in the past in condemning manifestations of antisemitism and racism. We gladly take up the challenge now of engaging those in the Muslim community of Canada who would reject such antisemitic lies and libels and seek to promote harmony and social cohesion in Canadian society.”