Netanyahu speech an ‘ugly episode’As is the rest of the Jewish community in Toronto, we are shocked by what transpired prior to a scheduled speech by former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Concordia University in Montreal. We are shocked that in an age of intellectual freedom, where human rights are held above all else, that an individual is denied the basic right of freedom of speech. We are particularly offended that such a denial occurred at an institution of higher learning. We are also disgusted by the behaviour of a particular group, who in an attempt to promote a political message, destroyed their own university by throwing newspaper boxes and smashing windows. We are sickened that a group could degrade themselves and others by spitting on fellow human beings and intimidating them through verbal and physical harassment. We pray that the orgy of hate and destruction displayed in Montreal is never again repeated. We hope that in the future all protesters at similar events respect the right of the speaker to speak, as we respect their right to protest. Without such rights, the democracy we have bred in this country and freedoms we have developed at this university are forever in peril. May this ugly episode never be repeated.Adam Cutler
Arafat is the real enemyTo those pro-Palestinian sympathizers who continue to blame Israel for the plight of the average Palestinian, allow me to ask you a question: Who really benefits from the absence of peace in that region? Is it Israel, a country that has difficulties balancing its public books even without the security threat? Or is it Yasser Arafat and the corrupt henchmen who surround him? A long time ago, Yasser Arafat came to the conclusion that there was more money in peacemaking than in terrorism. Once Oslo had been signed, Arafat could provoke the Israelis indirectly through suicide bombs and then plead to the international community for more money as a victim oppressed by an Israeli “aggressor,” once the Israeli Defence Force tried to crack down on terrorist groups in the Arab-controlled territories. He has pocketed much of the international aid money that has streamed into the territories. Money meant to improve Palestinians’ standard of living has flowed to corruption, media propaganda and police. He continues to provoke Israel through Hamas, Jihad and the Al Aqsa Brigade so the world will continue to show sympathy towards him whenever Israel responds to a bombing. Israel, in turn, has done much to work towards a two-state compromise. Israel has invested its own money into Palestinian infrastructure like new schools and universities. It has made generous offers, including the famous Camp David accord, which would have ceded 99 per cent of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to Arafat and portions of Jerusalem. Israel is anxious to end the conflict, but Arafat is not. He knows he is a weak leader, so he convinces his own people that Israel is at fault. His intentions were never to found a new Palestinian state. He is the true enemy of the Palestinian people. Doron Berger‘Our men can have foreskins’In the September 9 issue, you printed a photograph with thecaption: “A Trinity Frosh leader joins his flock in chanting ‘Ourpriests can have sex!’ to an unimpressed St. Mike’s contingent.” President Robert Birgeneau appears in the photograph with a beaming smile.It seems that the practices and traditions of the Catholic Church can be openly mocked and denigrated on this campus with neither the President nor The Varsity raising a voice of protest. I cannot imagine the same reaction had the Trinity Frosh leader chanted, “Our men can have foreskins,” to a group of Jewish students.
Noel S. McFerran

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