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Title: (Canada) Conservative MP criticized for advertising that he is the ‘son of a holocaust survivor’ on campaign poster
Source:
National Post
URL Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/news/c ... er-son-of-a-holocaust-survivor
Published: Aug 17, 2015
Author: Aileen Donnelly
Post Date: 2015-08-22 12:44:35 by X-15
Keywords: None
Views: 49
Comments: 1
In 338 ridings across Canada, would-be MPs are pitching themselves to Canadians. Some claim to be champions of the middle class, others say they can grow the economy, but just one candidate is saying he’s the son of a Holocaust survivor: Mark Adler. The Conservative MP’s campaign posters contain the usual promise to “keep the community and our economy strong” but they also note that Adler is “the son of a Holocaust survivor” and a “strong supporter of Israel.” The unusual campaign slogan was debated on social media after Jonathan Kay, the editor of The Walrus and a National Post columnist, shared a photo of one of the posters on Twitter Sunday. “Who needs Yad Vashem when Holocaust awareness is now being promoted on partisan Conservative signage?” Kay wrote. Other Twitter users wondered what other obscure traits might make someone a suitable MP. Perhaps having ancestors who survived the potato famine would help, one wondered. “What does “son of holocaust survivor” have to do with a Canadian election?” Twitter user Frank Shefman wrote. “I’m a son of a Canadian War Vet — does that count?” Adler declined an interview request from the National Post, but he issued a statement Monday afternoon explaining that he shares “the concern of many residents who are alarmed by the global campaign to isolate and denounce Israel.” Throughout my life, I have advocated for Holocaust remembrance – so that all Canadians will remember the great evil of the Second World War and never forget. My father came to Canada after surviving the horrors of a Nazi death camp, and chose Canada based on the values that continue to unite us: democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. I am proud to serve our country and deliver on the priorities of residents in York Centre – including advocacy for the security of the state of Israel, and the promotion of democratic values abroad. I share the concern of many residents who are alarmed by the global campaign to isolate and denounce Israel, and the moral relativism that was embraced by past governments who equivocated on the defense of the Jewish state. Under Prime Minister Harper’s leadership, Canada is standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel. As the Prime Minister said in his speech to the Knesset (January 2015), Israel is, “A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history.” I am proud of my family heritage, and will never forget the sacrifice of my forefathers who faced persecution simply because of their faith. Mme. Folco, like my family, faced unspeakable atrocities, and we will never forget the somber story that unites our experience. That is why I am doubly resolved to continue to be a steadfast defender of Israel, and champion of freedom for those facing persecution in an increasingly insecure world. Adler was first elected to Parliament in 2011 when he defeated Liberal incumbent Ken Dryden in the Toronto riding of York Centre. The MP has since mentioned his Jewish heritage on a number of occasions. But he is perhaps best known for begging one of the prime minister’s staff to let him in on a photo op with Stephen Harper during a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem in 2014. When the staffer refused to let Adler past a barricade, the MP was heard saying in an exasperated tone, “It’s the re-election. This is the million-dollar shot.” Adler later defended himself by saying he was just joking. “You guys don’t get a joke, huh? It was all said tongue-in-cheek,” he said. On Monday, Adler’s long-held claim that he is “the first child of a Holocaust survivor to ever be elected as an MP” was called into question by The Canadian Jewish News. Raymonde Folco is the daughter of Holocaust survivors, and she was elected to Parliament in 1997 — long-before Adler entered politics. She represented the Quebec riding of Laval—Les Iles until 2011. Adler’s campaign manager Georganne Burke said she’s “sure he’ll correct the error,” in an email to the Post. Adler’s bio was updated Wednesday afternoon. Folco “never spoke publicly about her background so it was an honest mistake,” Burke said. Folco told The CJN that it’s “disgusting” for Adler to use the Holocaust “for personal ends” and to try to “profit” from the tragedy. “Whether he is the first or 15th, I should think it is your record that matters: what you’ve done and what you intend to do for Canadians, when elected,” she told The CJN. Poster Comment: Chutzpah.....OY VEY!!!
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#1. To: X-15 (#0)
Time to address the jewish priviledge issue, perhaps?
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