Sep 12, 2006 - Montreal Gazette By: Irwin Block
Teaching material on anti-Semitism to be tailored for Quebec classrooms: Bank executive Comper decries ‘one-sided’ criticism of Israel’s policies
One-sided and disproportionate criticism of Israel inflames anti-Semitism, the president and chief executive officer of BMO Financial Group warned yesterday.
In a speech to the Canadian Club of Montreal, Tony Comper singled out the recent censure of Israel by the Ontario leadership of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada as examples.
“I profoundly disagree with this one-sided take on who’s to blame for what in the Middle East, and find its solutions untenable,” Comper told leaders of the business and legal community at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. He received a standing ovation.
Comper made the comments as he announced the Fighting Anti-Semitism Together foundation that he and his wife, Elizabeth, created will offer a tailored-for-Quebec version of teaching aids for Grade 6, 7, and 8 classrooms. It is being adapted by the Quebec section of the Canadian Jewish Congress and is expected to be ready by year’s end.
The program was launched in Ontario in 2005 “in response to a new wave of anti-Semitism in Canada,” a full page ad in yesterday’s Gazette and La Presse said.
“We created FAST in honour of the right of Jewish children to live secure and unafraid, and with a solemn promise that Jews are no longer on their own in this great nation in this new century,” the ad said.
The ad was signed and the foundation endorsed by 50 non-Jewish business and community leaders.
Comper said he did not question the motives of organizations that criticize Israel but was concerned about the impact their well-publicized stands could have.
“I worry about ... the effect of criticizing Israel so vehemently and disproportionately ... to the exclusion of all others,” he said.
“Anti-Semites ... are only too pleased to show their loathing for Jews where and when they think can get away with it.
“And what that almost always involves ... is criticism of Israel.”
Comper stressed, however, he is not questioning the motives of those who have “a legitimate disagreement with Israeli policy regarding Palestine.”
The Canadian Union of Public Employees, Ontario Division has endorsed a motion calling for CUPE members to boycott Israel.
Under protest, the United Church of Canada last month softened a proposal to divest from companies involved in the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza to a “pro-investment policy” favouring the search for peace.
Comper said he and his wife, an educator, decided to act after a “spike in anti-Semitic activity” in the spring of 2004, when a record 857 incidents were reported in Canada.
The modules include teaching about stereotyping, episodes of anti-Semitism and racism in Canada, recent incidents and strategies for responding to prejudice. They will soon be offered in western Canada, Comper said.
Enza Martuccelli, a Canadian Jewish Congress community relations specialist, said major Quebec school boards have agreed to use the material.
Dominic Spiridigliozzi, chairperson of the English Montreal School Board, said FAST material could be integrated into ongoing programs.
Marie-Jose Mastromonaco, member for Notre Dame de Grace of the Commission scolaire de Montreal, said it will be up to individual teachers and schools to decide if the material is appropriate.