NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2009
(Queen?s Park, ON) Today Peter Shurman, M.P.P. (Thornhill) filed a resolution asking the House to condemn Israel Apartheid Week.
The resolution reads: In the opinion of this House the term Israel Apartheid Week is condemned as it serves to incite hatred against Israel, a democratic state that respects the rule of law and human rights, and the use of the word ?apartheid? in this context diminishes the suffering of those who were victims of a true apartheid regime in South Africa.
?There is absolutely no reason why Israel Apartheid Week should not be condemned by this legislature. To refer to Israel, a democratic state that respects the rule of law and Human Rights, as an apartheid state is not only erroneous, but it diminishes the suffering of the victims of apartheid in South Africa,? Shurman explained.
Shurman had first raised the issue of Israel Apartheid Week in December 2008, asking all members of the Legislative Assembly to join the Progressive Conservative Caucus and condemn this event.
?The term ?apartheid? belongs in the same category as such terrifying words as ?genocide.? Neither word should be used carelessly, otherwise they will become meaningless and their true victims will be forgotten,? Shurman said. He added, that while there is room for debate on Israeli policies, terminology that serves only to demonize the opposing point of view must be avoided.
?On behalf of the Progressive Conservative Caucus I deplore any equation of Israel with an apartheid regime and I ask for all members of this Legislature to join us in condemning Israeli Apartheid Week,? Shurman concluded.
-30-
For more information please contact:
Monika Bujalska, Executive Assistant
Office of Peter Shurman, M.P.P.-Thornhill
Tel. 416-325-2505