Posted on 08/11/2007 2:45:56 PM PDT by fanfan
Members of the Jewish and Lebanese Christian communities in Windsor are outraged by the appearance of a billboard that appears to promote Hezbollah -- an organization the Canadian government considers terrorist.
"That organization is banned in Canada," said Harvey Kessler, executive director of the Windsor Jewish Community Centre. "How can that billboard be up in Windsor when it represents a terrorist organization which is banned under the laws of Canada?"
Located at the southwest corner of Marion Avenue and Wyandotte Street East, the billboard does not mention Hezbollah by name, but features a central image of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the controversial political and military group that represents Lebanese Shia Muslims and has clashed with Israeli troops for more than 20 years.
OPPOSITE OF PEACE
Kessler said he feels Nasrallah represents "the opposite of peace."
"It should be offensive to all people living in Windsor. It should be offensive not only to the Jewish community, but to any Canadian."
Emile Nabbout, president of the Windsor branch of the Lebanese Christian political group Kataeb, said he also thinks Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, and he feels the billboard creates a misconception of the views of Windsor's Lebanese community.
"We really are not in support or in favour of that billboard and it should be removed ASAP," Nabbout said.
The image of Nasrallah is flanked by four other Lebanese political figures. "All those individuals in that picture... they are in opposition to the Lebanese government right now," Nabbout said.
"By just analyzing the picture, there is no doubt in my mind this is a Hezbollah activity," he added.
Printed in English on the left side of the billboard are the words: "Lebanese and Arab communities in Windsor city congratulate the Lebanese people for their steadfastness and endeavor to establish peace in Lebanon."
But Nabbout said that Arabic writing which appears on the right side of the billboard does not match the English translation. According to Nabbout, the Arabic writing makes a reference to fighting.
"What they mean by 'fight' is basically 'guerrilla' -- using arms and weapons," Nabbout said. "Basically, there is a very specific word... That is a definite difference between the Arabic and the English."
Contacted on Friday night, Mayor Eddie Francis said he was made aware of the billboard earlier in the day. Asked if he is concerned about its presence, Francis said: "The politics of Lebanon belong in Lebanon, not on the streets of Windsor."
Francis said he has no idea who was responsible for the billboard, but the city is now looking into whether its content violates any rules.
Kessler said he has talked to Chief Glenn Stannard of Windsor police about the billboard, as well as the mayor. He said he has made calls to councillors, the city's race and ethnocultural relations committee, RCMP and CSIS.
"I understand that everyone is looking at strategies under the Canadian law to get it down. Because it is not appropriate," Kessler said.
Nabbout said members of the Lebanese Christian community have made calls to local MPs Joe Comartin and Brian Masse about the issue.
But Sam Ali, a 39-year-old Lebanese-born Windsor resident, said he supports the billboard's message, and he believes many in the city's Lebanese population feel the same way.
According to Ali, the accusations that Hezbollah is terrorist are untrue. "Hezbollah is freedom fighting. Whoever calls them terrorist is a liar," he said.
Ali, a Muslim, said Nasrallah has done good things, helping people with hospitals and medicine. "When Nasrallah speaks in Lebanon, a million and a half or two million people go into the street to listen."
Fellow Lebanese native and Muslim Ghina Maawie said she doesn't understand why anyone would be offended by the billboard. "When I saw it, I felt so happy and so proud of it," she said. "In Canada, we have freedom of speech."
Maawie also dismissed the criticisms of Hezbollah. "For anyone to defend Lebanon, they call them terrorist. All we did is defend our country."
Watch your back.
There have been veiled threats. Photographing it might be considered disrespect by the maggots.
I am positive that those "useful" Christian politicians were not asked to be depicted on that maggot-abomination billboard.
I will be sure to check out the area next time I'm in Windsor.
Thank you for that translation, jv. I can rely on your translation.
OK that sounds reasonable enough, without parsing the critical word "resistance".
That, however, does not explain the clear message sent by giving the most prominent space to the head of what is clearly and officially the head of the Lebanese murdering terrorist organization, killing lebanese, arab and foreigners alike.
Why is that CBS logo there attached to the bottom of the billboard? Does that mean that CBS is sponsoring the Hezzies’ message on CBS’ billboard?
The CBS logo is on almost all our billboards.
Do they own the billboards, or are they renting space at the bottom?
I don’t know.
Viacom Outdoor media owned by CBS.
So why not direct our outrage at CBS? Knowing their political sympathies, I wouldn’t be surprised if they allowed the Islamofascists to put up their disgusting message for free, or at a discount.
CBS be dammed, they are just the messenger.
The bigger problem is people, so called Canadians, who think they can do this with impunity.
/rant
Sorry. I’m angry.
Billboard depicting Hezbollah’s controversial leader removed
CanWest News Service
Published: Monday, August 13, 2007
WINDSOR, Ont. - The billboard depicting Hezbollah’s controversial leader, which caused an uproar across Windsor, was quietly replaced Monday morning with an advertisement for a car dealership.
The sign was erected Friday morning and immediately drew fire from the Windsor Jewish Community Centre and the Lebanese Christian political group Kataeb.
Among other Lebanese leaders, the sign prominently depicted Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the political and military group representing Shia Muslims.
Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organization by Ottawa, was created in 1982 primarily to resist the Israeli occupation of Lebanon that lasted two decades.
One of the sign’s opponents, Harvey Kessler, executive director of the Windsor Jewish Community Centre, said the sign was “the opposite of peace.”
The Hizballah terrorists are even more depressed and that is always an excellent thing.
LOL.
No that is the Viacom web site.
They replaced the ad in Windsor with an ad for a car dealership.
I am trying to confirm a rumor that CBS covered the billboard up early Monday morning. I’ll ping you if I get the story.
Absolutely correcrt Publius. Nasrallah is the Shia verison of Bin Laden and he is as a dangerous terrorist leader as Bin Laden is.
LOL!
Me too!
So, did these terrorist supporters book the ad through the web site which shows that picture?
I bet that made them mad(der)!
The billboard company can be reached at:
CBS Windsor Office phone number is 1-519-253-6560.
:-)
This link will open in Windows media player.
Hat tip Northern Right.
 Members of Windsor's Lebanese community, Ghina Maawie, left, Aida Mrove, Ayat Choukier and H. Dabaja show their support for the message of the billboard, which is on display at Wyandotte Street and Marion Avenue. The sign has led to a political divide between some. Photograph by : Ian Willms, The Windsor Star |
And, by the way, let's congratulate the Ford dealership in Windsor who did the new advertisement. Without their sponsorship, there would be nothing to replace Nasrollah's ugly face and message.
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