Who Could Possibly Doubt Al Jazeera's Neutrality?!

"The picture that emerges from the documents demonstrates categorically [and] with convincing, clear and unambiguous evidence the close, long-term connection between the Hamas terror organization and the Al Jazeera media network with the Hamas terror organization advancing its goals through the channel."

"[A clip aired on Al Jazeera that described as a] briefing for how to damage an Israeli tank [and whose purpose was] to harm IDF forces during wartime -- the meaning of which is real harm to state security."

"[There is a] close connection [between the Qatari news network Al Jazeera and the Hamas terror group]."

Justice Shai Yaniv, deputy president, Tel Aviv-Jaffa District Court 

Police raid the Al Jazeera offices in East Jerusalem on May 5, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

 

A review of the decision by Israel's Communications Minister, approved by the country's security cabinet to ban the news network, Al Jazeera for a limited period was undertaken by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa District Court. Justice Yaniv upheld the temporary ban decision, but he ended up limiting the ban period to 35 days from its original 45 days, linked to the court's procedural concerns. The ban set to expire now on June 9, although the Communications Ministry was planning to extend the ban to another 45-day period.

From May 5, Al Jazeera's broadcasts within Israel were taken off air, its website taken offline, its equipment seized, its offices sealed in accordance with an April emergency law that recognized violations of national security by foreign outlets were to result in their being temporarily blocked. 

Justice Yanif stated his conviction that national security had been harmed by Al Jazeera, making the news site eligible for being banned despite the harm that could arise relating to the constitutional principle of press freedom. However, democracies with their respect for freedom of the press and its protection, did not require them to suffer security harm during a period of war, in  upholding that freedom of expression.

Three classified position papers had been submitted for Justice Yaniv's examination, provided by security agencies as well-founded evidence that included recently occurring incidents making it clear that the network did pose a threat to Israeli security. Hardly surprising, since Al Jazeera's reportage made it abundantly clear that it is hostile to the existence of the Jewish state; its reportage echoing that of its paymaster's sentiments.

 

A closure order on the door of the Al Jazeera offices in east Jerusalem, May 5, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

 

According to Al Jazeera in its self-defence, the tank video was designed for the purpose of demonstrating the tank's capabilities, and similar clips on the capabilities of Israel's Iron Dome rocket defence system as well. Completely innocent of any attempt at security sabotage. An argument rejected by the court. "The clip indicates weak points on the tank and explains how to act to damage the tank and destroy it", responded Justice Yaniv.

"In short, the general picture leaves no room for doubt about the nature of the ongoing relationship between the Al Jazeera channel and the terrorist organization, and the fact that the content broadcast on it serves the terrorist organization Hamas and does significant harm to state security, which is currently in the midst of a grave war with the terror organization."

Aptly, Justice Yaniv brought up the precedent of a decision by the General Court of the European Union banning the Russian state-sponsored RT France channel in July 2022, due to its propaganda for the Kremlin. "Freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the media are among the most important and central values in a democratic state", he wrote, despite the times when that freedom verges on and locks into security threats at which time that freedom calls out to be curtailed.

A general view of the Al Jazeera logo [Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile – Getty Images]

The Rise of Antisemitism in Canada

"We think the situation [rampant antisemitism] now is more critical [currently than was the case in 2021 at Canada's first antisemitism summit], and we point to police statistics to make our case."

"We feel that our demand [to convene a second national antisemitism summit] will be well-received by elected officials."

"It's critical to get stakeholders all at the same table."

"The fight against antisemitism is everyone's fight."

Marvin Rotrand, interim director-general, United Against Hate Canada

 

"We know that an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."

"If someone hates a person for being Jewish, they're going to hate me for being Chinese, someone else for being Filipino, and so on."

"The action summit must address the alleged confusion about what that chant ["From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free"] means and remove the excuse for inaction, so that the people we trust to keep us safe and uphold our laws can do so with full clarity." 

Member of Parliament Kevin Vuong

Ottawa police officers keep watch as crews clean anti-Israel grafitti painted on the office tower housing the Israeli embassy on O'Connor Street in downtown Ottawa, Ont. on Monday, April 15, 2024. Photo by Bryan Passifiume /Postmedia Network

A call has arisen to convene a second Canadian national antisemitism summit in the wake of the wave of antisemitism that has swept through Canada following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel that left 1,200 Israeli children, women, men, and the elderly dead. A sinister paroxysm of sadistic savagery unlike anything witnessed before, as Palestinian terrorists gang-raped, mutilated and murdered girls and women in Israel, and burned families alive in their homes on that unforgettable day.

An open letter signed by 200 politicians, community and spiritual leaders called for another antisemitism summit. With it came a motion set to be tabled in the Senate of Canada. A call for Canada's antisemitism envoy, Deborah Lyons via an open letter, urged that a follow-up meeting to continue the work of the initial summit held by former envoy Irwin Cotler, Canada's long-time and premier human rights campaigner, to be slated as soon as possible.

After hundreds of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, along with PLO terrorists rampaged through kibbutzim located close to the border with Gaza, a campaign of hate, threats and intimidation erupted throughout Canada, with Palestinians and other Arabs living in Canada as citizens organized 'pro-Palestinian' protests in the immediate wake of the savagery committed by Palestinians. Following which such protests became frequent episodes of anti-Israel, anti-Jewish hate-fests.

Incidents of such hate expressed against Canadian Jews more than doubled in Toronto where antisemitism has become the most reported hate crime for years, compared to last year's statistics. Across Canada other cities report as well significant increases since October 7 of anti-Jewish hate-fests. In Ottawa, the office tower where the Israeli embassy is located saw vandals spray-paint anti-Israel graffiti on the building exterior.

Simultaneously a group of anti-Israel protesters once again shut down an intersection south of the embassy, evidently a coordinated effort to create 'economic blockades' against nations considered to be supportive of Israel. Sitting and retired politicians at all levels of government, mayors, school trustees, cultural and ethnic groups and faith leaders were among the 200 individuals who signed the open letter. 

 

Among them MP Kevin Vuong who emphasized that combating antisemitism requires commitment and action, not merely words and platitudes. The call for a summit saw a motion tabled in the Senate by Senator Leo Housakos.

 

Senate of Canada

"We cannot allow antisemitism to become normalized, and we cannot allow the haters to believe they can act with impunity."

"It is totally unacceptable that the Jewish community, whose history dates to the foundation of our country and who have contributed so much to Canada's well-being and success, should feel unsafe in their own communities."

Senator Leo Housakos