Canadian Minister Uppal speaks at opening of the Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism

Video of Minister Uppal’s remarks available here: http://bcove.me/h40k1uht

May 13, 2015—Jerusalem— Canada’s position as a world leader in the global fight against anti-Semitism was reinforced this week at an international forum that saw experts and dignitaries tackling the issue of hatred towards the Jewish people.

The Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Multiculturalism, helped open the 5^th Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to combating hatred and anti-Semitism in all its forms, including attempts to delegitimize Israel.

While in Jerusalem, Minister Uppal also met with businesses and experts to discuss the negative impact the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement would have on all sides in the region.

The Forum is the premier biennial gathering for assessing the state of anti-Semitism globally and formulating effective forms of societal and governmental response. This year it focused on two main subjects: Confronting Antisemitism and Hate Speech on Social Media, and the Rise of Antisemitism in Europe’s Cities Today.

Quick facts

• Approximately 40,000 Holocaust survivors settled in Canada after the Second World War.
• Canada is a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an intergovernmental body made up of experts from 31 countries that supports Holocaust education, remembrance and research around the world.
• January 27, 2015, marked the 70^th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where more than one million people were exterminated between 1940 and 1945.
• On February 24, 2015, the Government of Canada held a special take-note debate in the House of Commons on the rise of anti-Semitism.

Quote:

“Our Government’s commitment to fighting the rise of anti-Semitism in all its forms is rooted in increased education and interaction between different communities to counter the ignorance and bigotry that spreads this pernicious hatred. We will continue to work to ensure that the horrid atrocities that occurred in the past never happen again.”

Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Multiculturalism)

To view this statement in its original format, please visit the following link: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=973829