George Galloway kicks off controversial Canadian speaking tour
Former British parliamentarian was previously prevented from entering the country for meeting with members of Hamas.
By Ruth Sherlock and Ruth Sherlock Tags: Canada Israel newsAfter being banned entry to the country for over a year, George Galloway, the outspoken former British Member of Parliament, is blazing his way across Canada with a speaking tour that addresses everything from freedom of speech to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Galloway is scheduled to speak in 10 cities in 11 days. He kicked off his tour in Toronto on Tuesday, spoke in Montreal on Wednesday, and will make his way through Halifax, Hamilton, Vancouver, Calgary, Yellowknife, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa.
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Anti-war activist and former British member of Parliament George Galloway speaks in Toronto, October 3, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
The anti-war activist and maverick politician was due to speak at a public forum in Canada last year, but was barred from the country for his role in shipping five convoys of humanitarian aid to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and meeting with officials from Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization according to Canadian law.
A Federal Court judge has since overturned the ruling.
"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted 18 months ago," Galloway told a laughing audience as he began his speech at York University in Toronto.
Galloway's ban has raised the profile of his speaking tour. “We probably owe something to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney,” said James Clarke, Spokesperson of the Defend Free Speech Campaign, the chief organizer of the tour.
Over five hundred people flocked to hear Galloway’s speech in Toronto. The day before the Montreal event, tickets had nearly sold out, said Ehab Lotayef of Canada Boat Gaza, the co-organizers of the tour. Similar responses are expected in the other cities.
The talks, which include references to a one-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have raised the ire of Canadian pro-Israel and right-wing Jewish organizations.
An e-mail published by the Canadian paper, the National Post, revealed what it called “a bizarro world in which Zionists pose as Palestinians to shout down a bearded Scot”.
The e-mail was circulated among Galloway’s opponents and suggests ways that members can sabotage the speeches. These include planting disruptive questions and buying tickets on masse.
Most remarkable was the advice on dress and demeanor to avoid detection. “If they do not know your face, wear a keffiyeh or hijab or hippy-type clothing (blue jeans, Birkenstock sandals with socks, hand-woven Guatemalan man-purses, long scarves on men, etc.)”
“If you’re a middle-age man with a ponytail, you’ll fit in just fine,” wrote the author Joanne Hill, a freelance reporter for the Jewish Tribune. “If I could, I would pretend to be a confused pro-Palestinian lefty.”
"My e-mail was personal and was not intended for publication. It had nothing whatsoever to do with the Jewish Tribune,” Hill told Haaretz.
Krisna Saravanamuttu, President of the York Federation of Students, invited Galloway to speak and said he was doubtful about the e-mail, as he was not aware that leftists have a specific style of dress.
“I say that in the most sarcastic way I can. I was confused – should everyone show up looking like Yasser Arafat? Maybe wear a Che Guevara hat?”
More seriously, Saravanamuttu added that there was no need for critics to seek disguise, as the event was open to all voices.
“Of course there were people in the crowd who were critical. Here at the student union we welcome that, debate is the entire purpose of the event”.
Clarke told Haaretz that the e-mail was particularly ‘amusing’ as the events are open to all. “We have no objection to people coming to criticize [Galloway], you don’t have to dress up”.
Outside the hallway in Toronto, approximately 100 people gathered holding placards reading ‘Go away Galloway’ and other slogans, and waving the flag of Israel.
"This was a small but very loud minority of people who tried to drown out the talk in the lecture theater," said Saravanamuttu.
The protest was the coordinated effort of the controversial right-wing Jewish Defense League – Canada (JDL). The JDL was previously banned from York University for harassment of students on campus.
Meir Weinstein, National Director of JDL Canada had urged the Canadian authorities to ban Galloway.
“Now that he is here, it is important that he be exposed and that we confront him so that people can be made aware of his associations [with Hamas]” and, through them, believes Weinstein “with Iran”.
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Keep telling the truth George--it bugs the zionists.
He's a man whose mind is on something else. In Canada he'll no doubt speak with a Canadian accent. As a Glaswegian I can honestly say I've never heard a voice so conflicted. He wants to be a Palestinian but he just can't grasp the rhythm. Perhaps a hungry cat, purring feverishly for milk is a more apt description of this grovelling non entity.
Why not invite him to debate the issues publicly? I think people would take what you have to say about the man more seriously if you calmly debated him and articulated your arguments, instead of just being disruptive and obnoxious. And to the JDL: i am sure Galloway appreciates all the free advertising that you have done for his tour!
Whatever Galloway is, he is not anti-Semitic; he has a weekly ‘phone in TV program and is always extremely sharp, indeed virulent, with anyone who expresses views even close to anti-Semitism.
It is amazing to see how many people confuse anti zionist with being anti-semite, people are not against Jews but against racism and zionism, the best example is to look at how peacufull Jews live in Iran.
Being an anti zionist does not absolve one from being antisemite. There is no confusion - all this crystal clear
Why is anyone who speaks out against the policies of the Israeli government an anti-Semite? Anti-Semitism is directed toward the Jewish people, not a secular state that denies human rights, illegally confiscates land, demolishes homes, and walls people in ghettos. I don't agree with all my of my governments policies, but I am not an anti-American. Some call it patriotism. The Zionists are pathetic.
Your ignorance of the whole picture is embarrassing as you try to define antisemitism while espousing your anti-knowledge. Go get educated about the middle east conflict and then get back to us.
Now a question for you.Why do you (not necessarily you personally) call racists those who criticize Muslims murders,rapes,bombings etc ?
I'm not saying that anti-semitism doesn't exist because it most certainly does. I'm from the ME and i know exactly how people think. but one thing is for damn sure and this is always missed due to lack of communication. but if you talk to most people, they are against Israeli policies and their treatment of the palestinians. it doesn't mean they are all Nazis thirsty to see Jews burn. the whole 'throw Jew into the sea' is a jewish invention btw, there's no evidence that any Arab said that. Furthermore, many Arabs love and respect artists, film-makers, musicians...etc of jewish origins. So if I like a Jewish artist, or I have a jewish friend, but i am against Israeli policies, does that make me an anti-semite? No ofcourse it doesn't. Many people like yourself are reductionists (we have our version of that in the arab world too) and you reduce everything to black&white. Its us, the good guys, versus them, the bad guys. Sorry but nothing is that simple. Bottom line is, yes anti-semitism exists but DO NOT confuse anti-israel with anti-jewish at all times.
keep their mouths mum when the issue is about mistreatment of Palestinians by any Arab country (see Lebanon for example). Or in general any other mistreatment of Arab majority to minorities in their respective countries. Just to give an example. Palestinian refugees were given enormous attention: UN resolutions, books, humanitarian organizations, what have you. In the same time the same bodies, organizations, people just disregard the Jewish refugees from Arab lands. To sum up. There is enormous disparity in treating the same actions by Israel and by other countries/international actors. And this fact gives a very good reason to say - yes - for many cases anti-israelism can be a cover for antisemitism.
Krzysztof. The Palestinians when to Lebanon because Israle raided there villages and murdered them. This policy is ongoing. Why do you think the settlers are illegally occupying Palestinians lands. That was the cause of the Lebannees & Palestinian trouble.
Fundraising and gioving Moneyy stating clearly it was hamas in gaza. Then teh big huigs with teh Muslim elite. Frankly I do not know how he got in this time tio canada. Either way he is a marked man.
So Israel will send out another assassination squad? Whose passports will you use this time? (Guaranteed Haaretz is to chicken to print this truth.)
and printed your "truth".
and hes straight to the point.
He can go to Pakistan and impress Al Qaida leaders with his antisemitic views,he'll be welcomed there,but in any Western country he should be treated as any other outcast and warmonger. There is no place for him and his antisemitic excitement in Canada or any other country.BTW was it at York University where Muslim mob attacked Jewish students yelling at them "Die bitch -- go back to Israel" and "Die Jew -- get the hell off campus?That's why he wants to go there.....he smells Jewish blood.
Not sure what you are talking about but in Canada rational minds have always been welcome. Only 19% of us voted for the Galloway-banning Harper government. Not sure who you are speaking for either, Daniel.
Is it true that Muslim mob at York University attacked Jewish students and shouted "Die bitch,go back to Israel" and "Die Jew,get the hell off campus"?If it is,how this racist incident concurs with your claim that Canada welcomes rational minds?
Let's use the opportunity of the coming of this antisemite to Canada, to honor Stephen Harper's and Canada's wonderful job on the re-definition of antisemitism. Indeed Galloway, with that new definition, can be accused of antisemitism very clearly: singling out Israel for wrongs that could be blamed to all and neglecting even worse wrongs from others, is now clearly called antisemitism. Not anti-Zionism, which is not the policy of any specific Israeli government but of all the Israeli governments for the last 62 years. Thus "anti-Zionists" criticize left-wing governments since Ben Gurion. All that is pure antisemitism in a used tuxedo.
Galloway was against Britain going along with the US invasion of Iraq and won his Parliamentary seat as a result. His party was called Respect. Galloway is a supporter of the Palestinians. Why does that make him anti-Semitic?
if Galloway is in league with Hamas who's charter wishes Israel to not exist,with no negotiation, then how else can George be viewed other than as a'co-conspirator'? Alas he starts with his own fixed views and agenda (being married to a Palestinian is not a crime but is at least a 'marker' as to what we might expect. He is humanitarian.being concerned about the people of Gaza,but should address Hamas not just blame Israel for everything.
What a good idea? How about an England-Scotland one state solution? When anti-semites dare lecturing Israel, they should look at their backyard first.
works pretty well for them too
fail to mention that the Scots have been working for DEVOLUTION for centuries. English force of arms captured Scotland just like they captured their 'colonies'. Ask Sean Connery.