(PHOTOS) Protesters stop Benjamin Netanyahu speech at Concordia University

Here's some more on this disgrace at Concordia
http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/weblog.php

The media failed to report the true extent of the Palestinian rioting at Concordia University in Montreal. LGF reader Ted Belman forwarded us this eyewitness account of the riot, written by Sara Ahronheim.
-------------------------
In April 2001 I sent out a letter detailing my experiences working as a street medic at the protests in Quebec City. Today I am sending a similar letter to you, however it is in regard to a radically different situation.
This morning my friends and I set out to Concordia University, in the heart of downtown Montreal, to hear Benjamin Netanyahu (former Prime Minister of Israel) speak. Many articles were featured in the Montreal papers leading up to today's speech, warning of protest action. I had a good idea of what we would face as we approached Concordia, but I could never have predicted what actually happened once we were there.
To enter the building we had to make a giant circle around it, to get to the supposedly "safe" entrance. We had to walk right through a volatile protest of hundreds of Palestinians and their supporters in keffiyehs, with flags, screaming vitriolic hate. Once having run this gauntlet, we waited patiently outside the Bishop street entrance, held back at the gate by security and police. After about an hour they started admitting us inside, but it was too late because a huge group of Palestinian 'demonstrators' had appeared in our midst. I was fortunately right at the entrance, and as dozens of violent protesters pushed their way to the front, I tried to get through. Right next to me appeared the ringleader, who tried to push his way in. The cop in front of me punched him in the face while pulling me through the gate at the same time. I rested against the wall and watched as at least a hundred (I think) red-and-green coloured protesters attacked the barriers and tried to get in. Riot cops appeared, dozens of them, and went to the gate as I and a few others were herded into the building. There was yelling and chanting, drumming and fighting going on outside the doors, with hundreds of our people stuck behind the gate being abused by hundreds of violent demonstrators. A few of us were waiting after the metal detectors for our friends to come through, when all of a sudden we heard loud chanting and yelling INSIDE the building. The riot cops came storming in and up the stairs beside us, and we began hearing fighting, crashing, yelling, punching. Chaos broke out and riot cops made us run for the door to the auditorium - I thought we were going to get killed, I swear. It was the scariest feeling, because I knew that these people wanted to hurt me and anyone who supports Israel or is Jewish.
Once inside the auditorium, we were told to be patient as more people would drift in from the insanity outside. We waited inside for three hours, as the commotion outside grew increasingly loud. We could hear chanting and yelling, and the protesters began trashing the university building. The police tear gassed and pepper sprayed the entire building and outside, and we began to feel the effects if we stood too near the doors. After hours of waiting, and bomb searches by RCMP sniffer dogs, we were informed that Bibi Netanyahu could not speak after all - too much danger to him and to us.
This was an incredible disappointment and we were naturally upset. We however managed to maintain a kind of composure and instead of fighting, the 650 of us inside began to sing Hatikvah, the national anthem of the State of Israel. We sang peace chants and then just waited to be let out, in groups of 10, escorted by police.
The scene as we exited was disgusting. Benches were overturned, papers and garbage streaked across the hallways, and broken windows. We were shoved outside directly into a HUGE Palestinian riot, where some of our people were apparently attacked. The cops did nothing. We stood on one side of the barrier, while they stood on the other, and we faced off. On our side, we sang and danced and celebrated being free and Jewish. On their side, they threw bottles at people's heads, screamed hatred, and tried to break the barriers down to hurt us. They started tossing pennies and coins at us - one of the oldest ways to taunt Jews by saying we're all 'money-grubbing'. While we sang Hatikvah arm in arm, they spat at us. Finally we decided to disperse and leave them to their hatred.
Today was a sick and sorrowful day not only for the Jewish students and community of Montreal, but for Jews everywhere, the city of Montreal and Canada. Today a man was gagged and not allowed to express an opinion; today hundreds of people were denied the opportunity to listen to him speak. Today a riot broke forth on our peaceful streets, and today no police managed to restrain hate. Today Montreal Jews were made to feel afraid for our lives, and today Jewish students were threatened in our own home. If we cannot express ourselves here in Canada, champion of free speech and human rights, where on earth can we do so? If we cannot feel safe in our own cities where we have grown up and thrived, where are we to go?
I can answer my own question with what many of us already know - Israel is our place. She is our homeland, and opens her arms to us, willing to protect us at all costs. The Jewish people need Israel, and she needs us.
Even so, we must voice our distaste at the violence which occurred in Montreal today. We must all take our own individual stands against this fascism, by which freedom of speech was denied. What happened today in my city cannot be condoned or allowed to repeat itself. We must act.
So I am sending you all this long letter, with my own personal feelings and an eyewitness account. Please do what you can to see that this message is spread to anyone you can think of - from friends to work associates, to politicians, and from Jews to non-Jews alike. We have a chance to fix these wrongs, but only if we take action and don't sit back as passive observers.
We say NEVER AGAIN, but unless we protest these attacks on our freedoms, it is fruitless to put up that chant. Last but certainly not least, a personal lament on our situation: today I saw raw hatred, and it cut me to the core. I have never feared for my life as I did today. I have never feared for our free society the way I do today. I wish beyond anything that we can one day fix the agonizing rifts between our peoples, and erase the hate from our and their hearts alike.
Shanah Tovah to all Jewish readers of this letter, and a sweet year. To all non-Jewish readers: thank you for reading, and please understand what I am expressing here. It is most important for you to know what really happened here today, and it is vital that you see this side of the story.

moshe sheskin wrote:

A follow up to the riots at Concorida University in Montreal. From: "sara ahron"
To: saraahron@hotmail.com
Subject: a sad day for montreal
Date: Mon, 09 Sep 2002 18:47:24 -0400

Dear Friends and Family,

In April 2001 I sent out a letter detailing my experiences working as a
street medic at the protests in Quebec City. Today I am sending a similar
letter to you, however it is in regard to a radically different situation.

This morning my friends and I set out to Concordia University, inthe heart of
downtown Montreal, to hear Benjamin Netanyahu (former Prime Minister of
Israel) speak. Many articles were featured in the Montreal papers leading up
to today's speech, warning of protest action. I had a good idea of what we
would face as we approached Concordia, but I could never have predicted what
actually happened once we were there.

To enter the building we had to make a giant circle around it, toget to the
supposedly "safe" entrance. We had to walk right through a volatile protest
of hundreds of Palestinians and their supporters in keffiyehs, with flags,
screaming vitriolic hate. Once having run this gauntlet, we waited patiently
outside the Bishop street entrance, held back at the gate by security and
police.

After about an hour they started admitting us inside, but it was too late
because a huge group of Palestinian 'demonstrators' had appeared in our
midst. I was fortunately right at the entrance, and as dozens of violent
protesters pushed their way to the front, I tried to get through. Right next
to me appeared the ringleader, who tried to push his way in. The cop in
front of me punched him in the face while pulling me through the gate at the
same time. I rested against the wall and watched as at least a hundred (I
think) red-and-green coloured protesters attacked the barriers and tried to
get in.

Riot cops appeared, dozens of them, and went to the gate as I and a few
others were herded into the building. There was yelling and chanting,
drumming and fighting going on outside the doors, with hundreds of our people
stuck behind the gate being abused by hundreds of violent demonstrators.

A few of us were waiting after the metal detectors for our friends to come
through, when all of a sudden we heard loud chanting and yelling INSIDE the
building. The riot cops came storming in and up the stairs beside us, and we
began hearing fighting, crashing, yelling, punching. Chaos broke out and
riot cops made us run for the door to the auditorium - I thought we were
going to get killed, I swear.

It was the scariest feeling, because I knew that these people wanted to hurt
me and anyone who supports Israel or is Jewish.

Once inside the auditorium, we were told to be patient as more people would
drift in from the insanity outside. We waited inside for three hours, as the
commotion outside grew increasingly loud. We could hear chanting and
yelling, and the protesters began trashing the university building. The
police tear gassed and pepper sprayed the entire building and outside, and we
began to feel the effects if we stood too near the doors.

After hours of waiting, and bomb searches by RCMP sniffer dogs, we were
informed that Bibi Netanyahu could not speak after all - too much danger to
him and to us. This was an incredible disappointment and we were naturally
upset. We however managed to maintain a kind of composure and instead of
fighting, the 650 of us inside began to sing Hatikvah, the national anthem of
the State of Israel. We sang peace chants and then just waited to be let
out, in groups of 10, escorted by police.

The scene as we exited was disgusting. Benches were overturned,papers and
garbage streaked across the hallways, and broken windows.

We were shoved outside directly into a HUGE Palestinian riot, where some of
our people were apparently attacked. The cops did nothing. We stood on one
side of the barrier, while they stood on the other, and we faced off. On our
side, we sang and danced and celebrated being free and Jewish. On their
side, they threw bottles at people's heads, screamed hatred, and tried to
break the barriers down to hurt us.

They started tossing pennies and coins at us â€“ one of the oldest ways to
taunt Jews by saying we're all 'money-grubbing'. While we sang Hatikvah arm
in arm, they spat at us. Finally we decided to disperse and leave them to
their hatred.

Today was a sick and sorrowful day not only for the Jewish students and
community of Montreal, but for Jews everywhere, the city of Montreal and
Canada. Today a man was gagged and not allowed to express an opinion; today
hundreds of people were denied the opportunity to listen to him speak. Today
a riot broke forth on our peaceful streets, and today no police managed to
restrain hate. Today Montreal Jews were made to feel afraid for our lives,
and today Jewish students were threatened in our own home.

If we cannot express ourselves here in Canada, champion of free speech and
human rights, where on earth can we do so? If we cannot feel safe in our own
cities where we have grown up and thrived, where are we to go?

I can answer my own question with what many of us already know -Israel is our
place. She is our homeland, and opens her arms to us, willing to protect us
at all costs. The Jewish people need Israel, and she needs us. Even so, we
must voice our distaste at the violence which occurred in Montreal today. We
must all take our own individual stands against this fascism, by which
freedom of speech was denied. What happened today in my city cannot be
condoned or allowed to repeat itself. We must act.

So I am sending you all this long letter, with my own personal feelings and
an eyewitness account. Please do what you can to see that this message is
spread to anyone you can think of - from friends to work associates, to
politicians, and from Jews to non-Jews alike. We have a chance to fix these
wrongs, but only if we take action and don't sit back as passive observers.
We say NEVER AGAIN, but unless we protest these attacks on our freedoms, it
is fruitless to put up that chant.

Last but certainly not least, a personal lament on our situation. Today I
saw raw hatred, and it cut me to the core. I have never feared for my life
as I did today. I have never feared for our free society the way I do today.
I wish beyond anything that we can one day fix the agonizing rifts between
our peoples, and erase the hate from our and their hearts alike.

Shanah Tovah to all Jewish readers of this letter, and a sweet year. To all
non-Jewish readers: thank you for reading, and please understand what I am
expressing here. It is most important for you to know what really happened
here today, and it is vital that you see this side of the story.

Love always,
Sara Ahronheim

Someone in Canada can post this on bulletin boards throughout C. U. Montreal!
Freeeeee Speach Ueber Alles!

The speech he couldn't give - Violent protesters at Concordia University in
Montreal prevented former Israeli prime minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU from
addressing students on Monday. This is what he planned to say

By BENJAMIN NETANYAHU

The Globe and Mail Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - Page A13

I have come here to voice what I believe is an urgently needed reminder:
that the war on terror can be won with clarity and courage or lost with
confusion and vacillation.

International terrorism depends on the support of sovereign states, and
fighting it demands that these regimes be either deterred or dismantled. In
one clear sentence, President George W. Bush expressed this principle in his
historic speech a year ago: "No distinction will be made between the
terrorists and the regimes that harbour them." Such strategic clarity was
applied with devastating effect to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan that
supported al-Qaeda terrorism.

But that is only the first step in dismantling the global terrorist network.
The other terrorist regimes must now be rapidly dealt with in similar
fashion.

Israel has not experienced a terrorist attack like the one the world
witnessed on that horrific day last September. That unprecedented act of
barbarism will never be forgotten. But, in the past two years, Israel's six
million citizens have buried more than 600 victims of terror -- a per capita
toll equivalent to more than half a dozen September 11ths. This daily,
hourly carnage is also unprecedented in terrorism's bloody history.

Yet, at the very moment when support for Israel's war against terror should
be stronger than ever, my nation is asked by many to stop fighting. Though
we are assured by friends that we have the right to defend ourselves, we are
effectively asked not to exercise that right.

But our friends should have no illusions. With or without international
support, the government of Israel must fight not only to defend its people,
restore a dangerously eroded deterrence and secure the Jewish state, but
also to ensure that the free world wins the war against terror in this
pivotal arena in the heart of the Middle East.

Instead of praising Israel for seeking to minimize civilian casualties
through careful and deliberate action, most of the world's governments
shamelessly condemn it.

For many months, many of these governments have rightly supported the war
against Afghan terror. Yet their patience for the war against Palestinian
terror ran out quickly. The explanations that are offered for this double
standard are not convincing.
First, it is said that war on Palestinian terror is different because a
political process exists that can restore security and advance peace.

This is not so. There can never be a political solution for terror. The
grievance of terrorists can never be redressed through diplomacy. That will
only encourage more terror.

Yasser Arafat's terrorist regime must be toppled, not courted. The Oslo
agreements are dead. Yasser Arafat killed them.
He tore them to shreds and soaked them in Jewish blood by violating every
one of its provisions, including the two core commitments he made at Oslo:
to recognize the state of Israel and to permanently renounce terrorism.

With such a regime and such failure of leadership, no political process is
possible. In fact, a political process can only begin when this terrorist
regime is dismantled.

Second, it is said that waging war on Palestinian terror will destabilize
the region and cripple the imminent war against Saddam Hussein. This concern
is also misplaced.

Clearly, the urgent need to topple Saddam is paramount. The commitment of
America and Britain to dismantle his terrorist dictatorship before it
obtains nuclear weapons deserves the unconditional support of all sane
governments.

But contrary to conventional wisdom, what has destabilized the region is not
Israeli action against Palestinian terror, but rather the constant pressure
exerted on Israel to show restraint.

It is precisely the exceptional restraint shown by Israel that has
unwittingly emboldened its enemies and inadvertently increased the threat of
a wider conflict.

I must also tell you that the charge that Israel, of all countries, is
hindering the war against Saddam is woefully unjust. For my country has done
more than any other to make victory over him possible.

Twenty-one years ago, prime minister Menachem Begin sent the Israeli air
force on a predawn raid hundreds of miles away on one of the most dangerous
military missions in our nation's history.

When our pilots returned, we had successfully destroyed Saddam's atomic bomb
factory and crippled his capacity to build nuclear weapons. Israel was
safer -- and so was the world. But rather than thanking us for safeguarding
freedom, the entire world condemned us.

Ten years later, when American troops expelled Iraqi forces in the gulf war,
then secretary of defence Richard Cheney expressed a debt of gratitude to
Israel for the bold and determined action a decade earlier that had made
victory possible.
That is why there is no alternative to winning this war without delay. No
part of the terrorist network can be left intact. For if not fully
eradicated, like the most malignant cancer, it will regroup and attack again
with even greater ferocity. Only by dismantling the entire network will we
be assured of victory.

But to assure that this evil does not re-emerge a decade or two from now, we
must not merely uproot terror, but also plant the seeds of freedom.

Because only under tyranny can a diseased totalitarian mindset be widely
cultivated. This totalitarian mindset, which is essential for terrorists to
suspend the normal rules that govern a man's conscience and prevent him from
committing these grisly acts, does not breed in a climate of democracy and
freedom.

The open debate and plurality of ideas that buttress all genuine democracies
and the respect for human rights and the sanctity of life that are the
shared values of all free societies are a permanent antidote to the poison
that the sponsors of terror seek to inject into the minds of their recruits.

That is why it is also imperative that, once the terrorist regimes in the
Middle East are swept away, the free world must begin to build democracy in
their place.

We simply can no longer afford to allow this region to remain cloistered by
a fanatic militancy. We must let the winds of freedom and independence
finally penetrate the one region in the world that clings to unreformed
tyranny.

from http://www.concordia.ca

link to rector's message http://www.concordia.ca/announce/19130410.shtml

A message to the community from the Rector

Today’s Violent Events Evoke Shame and Dismay

September 9, 2002 — A shameful and distressing event occurred today at Concordia University. A speaker, invited by a student group, was prevented from speaking by the use of violence and intimidation. Some students and visitors were threatened and jostled. University property was damaged.

In a university that prides itself on openness, tolerance of diversity and freedom of expression, such actions evoke shame and dismay. They cannot and will not be tolerated.

The following steps will be taken immediately:

1. Normal operations will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10th. The Hall Building will be open as usual. Students, professors and staff can be assured that appropriate security will be in place.

2. Those identified as having provoked or engaged in violence or vandalism will be prosecuted and their student status reviewed.

3. What is needed now is a period of restraint. A moratorium on the use of university space for events related to the Middle East conflict will be instituted immediately and until further notice. This includes a moratorium on public speeches, rallies, exhibits and information tables. We will be meeting with student leaders to develop a more long-term policy in this regard.

Concordia has no intention of abandoning its tradition of free expression. It is not acceptable for the university to be disrupted in the manner that occurred today.

Frederick Lowy, Rector and Vice-Chancellor

____________________________________________________________

this garbage makes me ashamed to be a Canadian...thank god i live in western canuckistain.

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