A government decision to stop funding the Canadian Arab Federation over concerns it appeared to support terrorist organizations and anti-Semitism has been upheld by the Federal Court. In dismissing an appeal launched by the Toronto-based pro-Palestinian lobby group, Justice Russel Zinn ruled the decision to not renew the $1-million in annual funding was reasonable. "All of the statements and actions raised by the Minister can, in my view, reasonably lead one to the view that CAF appears to support organizations that Canada has declared to be terrorist organizations and which are arguably anti-Semitic," the judge wrote. The CAF had received 74% of its budget from a federal program that funds language training for new immigrants. But after he became Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Jason Kenney brought that to an end. He said he wanted to ensure the government was not financing organizations that apologized for violence or terrorism. In a 2009 email, he described the CAF as "radical and anti-semitic" [Sic] and called the funding arrangement "shameful." The CAF, whose president had once called Mr. Kenney a "whore of war," could not be reached for comment Tuesday. But three Jewish organizations applauded the ruling, which was released Monday night. "It's particularly disturbing to think that an organization that holds views so diametrically opposed to Canada's values was given a mandate to integrate new Canadians," said Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. The court detailed six specific incidents behind the government's decision, including a 2006 pamphlet that attacked Liberal MP Bob Rae and his wife for their involvement in the Jewish community. At a 2009 rally organized by the CAF and other groups, the flag of the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah was flown and a protester screamed, "Jewish child, you are going to f—cking die. Hamas is coming for you." The CAF's website had linked to videos and images of Hamas operatives undergoing training, as well as the flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Palestinian terrorist groups notorious for their suicide bombing campaigns. The CAF's vice-president Ali Mullah also attended a conference in Cairo where Hamas and Hezbollah delegates were present. In addition, the CAF had honored Zafar Bangash, who "has referred to Canadians as 'infidels or non-believers' in the past and reported on the September 11 attacks in a way that was unsympathetic to the victims," the court said. While the CAF argued it had not authorized any of the incidents, "this defense ignores the maxim that 'one is known by the company one keeps,'" Justice Zinn wrote in his 42-page ruling. "Quite simply, the CAF cannot completely disassociate itself from the content of web links it includes in its materials, or from comments, distribution of materials, or attendances at meetings and conference by its executives." The court rejected the argument that the Mr. Kenney had restricted free expression on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, saying there was no connection between the program funding decision and the CAF's advocacy. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies said it was pleased with the ruling. "The court documents clearly point to evidence that the group is anti-Semitic and promoting extremist views that are a threat to Canada," President and CEO Avi Benlolo said. B'nai Brith Canada CEO Frank Dimant said the CAF's "propaganda has only served to hinder the multi-pronged fight to safeguard the Canadian public from the ever-growing problem of radicalization and extremism." Mr. Kenney said the court judgment was "a vindication of common sense. Groups who express apparently hateful views or who defend terrorist organizations should not receive taxpayer funding, period. This is especially true for organizations charged with the integration of newcomers."

• published: 11 Jan 2014
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