Is there any doubt that they would let in Yasser Arafat?
According to the Vancouver Sun:
A former PLO terrorist who was scheduled to speak against terrorism in Vancouver Monday was turned away by Canadian immigration officials as he tried to board a plane from California.But organizers held the event anyway, arranging a live video link with Walid Shoebat, who spoke from his home in northern California.
"It's like he's here, but he's not here," said Gabriel Patrich, of the Israel Action Committee, one of the three Jewish and Christian groups that scrambled to the keep the event on track. Patrich said he was "very disappointed" by Canada's refusal to admit Shoebat. "This is against free speech. We thought our government would do the right thing. We look at it as if they're taking sides.
A press release from Shoebat's manager pointed out:
Shoebat has already visited Canada on three prior occasions in 2004 and spoken publicly at six different venues including universities and synagogues. Mr Shoebat has during his previous visits also shared his story and opinions to TV stations, major newspapers such Toronto Star, National Post, Calgary Sun, Montreal Gazette and many radio stations. Local Canadian Palestinian activists has branded him a "racist" and complained to both the Italian Cultural center in Vancouver and Canadian Border and Provincial police to block his entry. Mr. Shoebat was scheduled to speak before a gathering of the Jewish Federation of Vancouver on Monday 31st at the Italian Cultural Center in Vancouver. The Canadian government has invoked their anti terror legislation which states that known terrorists cannot enter Canada, even though Mr. Shoebat preaches for peace and reconciliation and loves the Jewish people, being a Palestinian. According to Shoebat's publicist/manager in the United States, Keith Davies: "Proud people who believe in democracy and fairness need to stand up and protest at the double standard of Canadian government officials and members of Parliament who shake the hand of Arafat and allow people who may not admit to be former or current terrorists, preach hatred to speak freely in Canada. Yet here the Canadian government denies Shoebat, a peacemaker, entry." The people of Canada and America need to protest vehemently at this wrong headed and prejudiced decision."
The Vancouver Sun reported that about 10 pro-Palestinian protestors were outside the presentation.
Shoebat, originally from Beit Sahour, outside of Bethlehem, has openly admitted his involvement in terrorist activities as a teenager. He said the purpose of his speeches is to "expose drug-pushers of the drug called hatred." Now -- a self-described "ex-drug addict" -- he says he denounces acts of terrorism in all forms.Shoebat said "hatred for Jewish people was fed to him like milk" as a child through songs, art, school and religious studies. He was recruited by the PLO as a suicide bomber at the age of 16 and set out to bomb a home in Israel. Shoebat said he "abandoned mission" after he saw children playing nearby.
Yea!!! I'm first this time. This message should be recognized for what it is: Canada is a lost cause. It's gov't IS terrorism. Somebody in May said that Chretien had ties to alQaida and that's why MSA, Cair, junk are allowed to function without hingement on Canadian soil. Our soil is unclean! We must purify the land, don't vote Liberal/Islam.
Shoebat's story should stand as an example that freedom is GONE. Everybody, send comments to your papers. Bombard the TV, and your MPs.
ROFLMAO!!! This is the same Canada that sent passports and airline tickets for the Al Qaeda terrorist family Al Khadr. Apparently the only way you'll be barred from entering Canada is if you renounce terrorism!
GWB, bar the borders and keep the nutty Canucks out!
Shame they could not do the same for DAVID IrVING and the multitude of Holocaust deniers who make cANADA THEIR FAVOURITE VENUE.
CANADIANS WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
THROW OUT YOUR GOVERNMENT!
The good news is that there are people who can turn their backs on a terrorist past and make amends. Bravo to Walid Shoebat!
Well, tonight's sleep has gone to hell, so I may need to post this stuff more than once, being so early...
http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13626
I would guess Mr. Spencer is on top of it anyway, but anyone who had doubts about Islam being a threat should start their day with that one.
Having worked with Keith Davies, Walid's US publicist manager to get this story out to the press on Monday night, the following occured. I spoke with Joseph Ben-Ami of B'nai Brith Canada in Ottawa. Their staff in both Toronto and Ottawa is investigating why Canada immigration succumbed to local Palestinian and ISM requests to deny Walid Shoebat's entry into the Canada. I also spoke with Walid and he made the observation that ISM was gunning for him given information on their website. He also said that his story had been prominent on Canada's press following his talks in several Canadian cities, universities and synagogues earlier this year.
When he approached the podium at the Air Canada desk at the airport in California, they had a photo of him and he was told he would be denied entry to Canada and escorted out of the terminal by airport security officers. But web cam technology enabled Walid Shoebat to leapfrog the Candian border and speak to the audience in the Italian Cultural center in Vancouver and thoroughly vanquish pro Palestinian advocates during the Q+A.
Given that the Martin Liberal government in Ottawa is in trouble with the current snap election, the Conservatives, should they win and form a new government may have a thing to say about this "incident."
Being a U.S. citizen, I'm appalled at the knee jerk reaction of Canadian authorities to requests of this type from questionable Palestinian advocacy groups like ISM. It would be a violation of First Amendment "free speech" rights here in America. In multi-cultural Canada it's just another ho hum blip. This time it exploded in their faces, causing embarrassment to their government and giving Walid a "big victory."
Thanks Bob for running this story at DhimmiWatch
I read Walid Shoebat's story elsewhere on the web, and am personally glad for him that his mother was (is?)a US citizen, and hence transmitted citizenship to him.
I think we have no better picture of liberal hypocrisy and stupidity rolled together. A man can openly renounce terror, devote himself to urging love for God and neighbor, declare his belief in a common humanity, and openly seek reconciliation with former enemies; but as soon as people who speak of Jews as the "brothers of apes and pigs" shout "racist!" the guy becomes PNG in a country that prides itself on its liberal ideas.
May there be another million or two or three Walid Shoebat's out there, and may they be heard loud and clear.
Helen writes: "Apparently the only way you'll be barred from entering Canada is if you renounce terrorism!"
Actually, the only way you'll be barred from entering Canada is if you haven't killed enough "infidels" -- it's all about the Infidel kill ratio... If you don't reach a certain threshold or maintain a certain standard, then you just won't be allowed in...
I mean, c'mon we don't want to cheapen our principles, do we?
True, J.S., true.
To see a brief but very cool video of Walid telling his story, go here: http://www.topexecutivegreetings.com/hebrew/A%20PALESTINIANS%20JOURN%20Bin_QT_THP_web_small.mov
I want to see the video but the link doesn't work. Is there any other way? I'll try the main site just to be sure.
I justed try the main site, and it's for greeting cards. I guess the video isn't there.
I don't know why, but sometimes it takes a long time to download to this website... but keep trying... it is well worth it!
I am not usually at a loss for words, but this article just astounds me!
"Your grandchildren will be reformed terrorists."