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(updated April 29, 2006) SUSAN HOWARD-AZZEH VS THE ST CATHARINES STANDARD ACCUSATION OF ANTI-SEMITISM OFTEN USED TO SILENCE CRITICISM OF ISRAEL Friends of Susan Howard-Azzeh and the Niagara Palestinian Association call upon your help to restore the good name of long-time human rights activist, Susan Howard-Azzeh after she was falsely portrayed as an anti-Semite & holocaust denier in the St. Catharines Standard, April 20, 2002. At the time, the newspaper was owned by Izzy Asper's CanWest Global Holdings. (The Izzy Aspers are well known for their staunchly pro-Israel Zionist ideology.) Mrs. Howard-Azzeh's reputation was destroyed and a promised fulltime executive position was lost as a result. A LAWSUIT UNDER THE LIBEL & SLANDER ACT has been launched in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the St Catharines Standard Group Inc.; and against managing editor Bob McKenzie; editor John Harding; and reporter Grant LaFleche by Mrs. Howard-Azzeh. Court File No. 02-CV-230518CM3. Susan has helped so many people; now is the time we can help her. She is fighting this battle on behalf of all human rights activists and Palestinians. This case CAN BE WON and MUST BE WON.
BACKGROUND - END THE OCCUPATION RALLY - “In Memory Of Nida” Susan is a respected activist in the field of human rights, anti-racism and peace. She is married to a Muslim Palestinian. October 2001 the Israeli military destroyed the home of their 13 year old cousin Nida Azzeh in the Azzeh Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, in the Israeli occupied territories of Palestine - while Nida, her mother, sister and brothers were still inside. All injured, the family moved in with relatives. 5 months later, March 9, 2002 while playing with other children outside their door, Nida was shot by an Israeli sniper and died. Her funeral picture sits near Ms. Howard-Azzeh's computer. Susan states, “In the photo Nida looks so sweet, like she's sleeping. But - she's not.” In memory of Nida, social justice activists, children, English Canadians, Canadian Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims held a peaceful “End the Occupation” march and rally in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Adult and child speakers called for an end to the illegal occupation, and an end to the killing of both Palestinians and Israelis who are dying as a result of the occupation. Of 40 placards used in the march, the majority simply said, “End the Occupation”. Others said, “We Want Peace” and “Stop Killing Our Children.” One placard stated, “Sharon and Hitler are the same.” Information about Nida Azzeh in Arabic: http://www.palestine-info.info/arabic/palestoday/reports/report2005/neda2.htm
NEWS COVERAGE The next day, Saturday April 20, 2002, the top front-page headline in the Standard proclaimed, “Protest march was ‘the worst' anti-Semitism”; characterized marchers as “holocaust deniers”; and included factual errors. The Standard also published an editorial titled "Complex anti-Semitism" attacking the credibility of Ms. Howard-Azzeh; and published more than a week of predominantly negative letters to the editor directed at Ms. Howard-Azzeh and her fellow marchers. This was surprising as Susan had previously been a respected resource person and columnist for the Standard. The headlines were devised by editor John Harding. The articles relied heavily upon defamatory quotes by the pro-Israeli Zionist Bernie Farber of the Canadian Jewish Congress, who was not present at the march or rally.
BERNIE FARBER "To compare what happened in Nazi Germany to anything in the modern world, especially the tragedies in the Middle East, is stunning. This is the worst, and probably most complex form of anti-Semitism out there... It is the worst form of holocaust denial." Standard, April 20, 2002
ANTI-ZIONISM DOES NOT EQUAL ANTI-SEMITISM Objecting to the policies and actions of Ariel Sharon and the state of Israel does not make one an anti-Semite or anti-Jewish. Many of the donors and endorsers of this lawsuit are themselves Jewish. Are they also anti-Semites?
A REPUTATION DESTROYED Despite 25 years of award-winning volunteer work, the article and editorial caused great damage to Ms. Howard-Azzeh's exemplary reputation, and health. She received hate mail, hate phone calls, computer viruses, and she was shunned socially and professionally. The Mayor called her into his office for an explanation of the news coverage. In addition, Ms. Howard-Azzeh had been promised a fulltime position as Executive Director of the Folk Arts Council Multicultural Centre of St Catharines. The job paid $50,000. which she planned to contribute to her 4 children's college and university expenses. Following the Standard headlines, the position was given to someone else. Since the articles Susan is finding it very difficult to find alternate employment, particularly in her field of expertise, anti-racism and human rights.
“I WILL ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH and STAND UP FOR JUSTICE” Ms. Howard-Azzeh states, “I and the marchers are not anti-Semites, holocaust deniers or anti-Jewish. I sympathize with the suffering of the Jewish people, especially during the holocaust, affirm the sanctity of all human life, and condemn the killing of both Palestinians and Israelis in the current Palestinian/Israeli crisis. Labeling anyone who disagrees with the policies and actions of Ariel Sharon & the Israeli government as anti-Semites and holocaust deniers is the worst form of censorship. It is very powerful and silences many people. It won't silence me. I will always speak the truth and stand up for justice.” Pulse Niagara, May 2002.
MS. HOWARD-AZZEH FIGHTS FAIRLY FOR ALL In addition to fighting for a variety of human rights causes, in the 90's Ms. Howard-Azzeh lead the shut-down of the white supremacist neo-Nazi group, Heritage Front Niagara, and mobilized the community following the desecration of St. Catharines' only Jewish cemetery.
OTHERS UNJUSTLY PORTRAYED AS ANTI-SEMITES: Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun; Neil Macdonald, CBC; Father Robert Assaly; Arab and Jewish SPHR students at Concordia University; Professor Sherene Razack, OISE...
COURT ACTIVITY:
FUNDRAISING FOR LEGAL COSTSWe are in the process of raising approximately $50,000. to cover legal costs for the lawsuit. Final costs may be less or may be much more. Is the Canadian justice system intended only for the rich and powerful? No. But we need your financial help to gain access to the courts and to justice.PLEASE DONATE Fundraising has been going well. Donations have come from all across Canada, the USA, UK, Austria, South Africa, Palestine… and from many faith, ethnic and political backgrounds ! But costs are climbing. Any financial support you or your organization can make will be greatly appreciated. DONATIONS MAY BE MAILED TO: Legal Defense Fund, Niagara Palestinian Association , Suite 112, 111 4 th Ave, Ridley Square, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2S 3P5 PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: Susan Howard-Azzeh, marked “Legal Defense Fund”. (Sorry we don't have a separate legal defence bank account.) If you wish your donation to remain Anonymous , please include a note saying so with your donation, or notify niag_pal@yahoo.ca . FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: Regarding the Defense Fund contact Raja Khouri, Canadian Arab Federation at khouri@canada.com , khouri2000@rogers.com , and www.caf.ca . Regarding the Case contact Mr. Burhan Azzeh at niag_pal@yahoo.ca and Susan Howard-Azzeh at susanha103@yahoo.ca 905-984-6515. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT !!
QUOTES FROM DONORS AND ENDORSERS “We feel that labeling any dissent and criticism of the Israeli state as “anti-Semitic” is insulting, wrong, degrading and takes away from the real racist anti-Jewish threats that exist.” Max Silverman, Jewish Youth Against the Occupation . “No one should ever be subjected to the horrible abuse of a groundless allegation of anti-Semitism. The St. Catharines Standard should not be allowed to intimidate into silence activists who challenge Israel's assault on the human rights of Palestinians. I wish you the best in your noble struggle for justice. Furthermore, ACCLA challenges all other Arab and Muslim Canadian organizations and individuals to match our donation of $1,000.00. Together we can raise the funds required to defend our community.” James Kafieh, President, Arab Canadian Civil Liberties Association . jk_cgm@hotmail.com “Enclosed please find $3,250. donated by members of the Calgary Mosque. I am happy that finally we, as Arabs and human rights groups, will no longer accept attacks by media groups…This legal defense fund is long overdue.” M Kadry, Islamic Association of Calgary, Alberta. "The Niagara chapter of Amnesty International has worked with Susan Howard-Azzeh on various projects over the past five years, including the demonstration in St. Catharines on April 20, 2002. During that time, our membership has found Ms. Azzeh to be a strong defender of all human rights as set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her extensive knowledge makes Ms. Azzeh a valuable asset to the local human rights community." K. Grant, Group 112, Amnesty International. "I would like to express my full support to you in your fight for numerous noble causes that would make the world a better place for everyone to live in, in peace and harmony... I cannot find the words to thank you for all that you are doing. May God bless you and your family." Dr. Arafat el Ashi, Director, Muslim World League Canada. "We must stand together, dignified and self-confident... and resist the increasingly futile efforts to slander us and to silence others." Mordecai Briemberg, Canada-Palestine Support Network, British Columbia. "Susan, continue the fight. Freedom is the ONLY cause worth fighting for because without freedom we as human beings have nothing worthwhile to live for." Marlene Thomas-Osborne, Anti-racism Consultant, Hamilton.
BOYCOTT ASPER CANWEST GLOBAL HOLDINGS
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