National Assembly Speaker participates in pro-Palestinian march.
HAREL COMPROMISES NEUTRALITY OF
SPEAKER'S OFFICE: CANADIAN JEWISH CONGRESS DEMANDS EXPLANATION.
Montreal, June 12, 2002-Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Region President Joseph Gabay is demanding an immediate public explanation from Louise Harel, Speaker of the National Assembly, for her presence and her partisan comments at a pro-Palestinian march held in Montreal last Saturday. The role of the National Assembly Speaker is one that is based on scrupulous neutrality. The gathering focused exclusively on criticism of Israel in the current Middle East conflict.
As Mme Harel listened, speakers deplored Israel's efforts to defend itself in the West Bank, comparing the incursion to South African Apartheid. One of the organizers suggested publicly that Israel's action are actually responsible for Palestinian suicide bombings of Israeli civilians.
"It is totally unacceptable for Mme Harel to have been present at--much less to have publicly supported the organizers of this partisan demonstration, " Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Region President Joseph Gabay noted. "The Speaker is elected by members from every party, representing all Quebecers, Her suggestion to reporters that she was attending " a titre personnel" is a meaningless distinction. In public, the Speaker of the national Assembly carries the burden of his or her role.
"In taking on the role of Speaker, Mme Harel clearly understood the importance of maintaining her public neutrality. The Speaker is a key custodian of our democratic and transparent system of government. She has now compromised her elected office. me Harel owes the National Assembly, she owes all Quebecers, an explanation for her actions."
Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Region is the official voice of the Jewish community of Quebec.
For more information, please contact:
Eta Yudin, Director of Communication
Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Regions
Tel. (514)345-6411 ext. 3165 or (514) 894-7440
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