B’nai Brith Canada has demanded the government remove Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) member Khaled Barakat from the country. .“We have given the government every chance to do the right thing, but we can no longer stay silent,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn in a press release..“The government’s reckless disregard of this matter severely undermines its claim to be committed to the fight against antisemitism.”.National Post columnist Terry Glavin revealed Barakat has been living in Canada for about 20 years on Thursday. .He reported Barakat is believed to have become a Canadian resident in the early 2000s after being deported from the USA. He resided in Europe for several years, helping to direct the PFLP from Berlin..The German government expelled him from Germany in 2019, and he returned to Canada. Glavin reported that Barakat now resides in Vancouver..B’nai Brith Canada said it has been gathering intelligence on him and urging the Canadian government and police forces to act for the last two years. .Barakat has been described as a member of the PFLP’s central committee. He says he is a writer and Palestinian rights activist. .The PFLP was formed in 1967, and its goals are destroying Israel and establishing a communist government in Palestine. During the 1970s, the group hijacked three airplanes and stormed the Vienna headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. .The PFLP was involved in assassinating Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001. It was designated a terrorist organization in Canada in 2003. .Members of terrorist organizations are prohibited from entering Canada or receiving Canadian citizenship. .This demand comes after a new record was set for antisemitic incidents in Canada for the sixth year in a row in 2021, an increase of 7.2% from the previous year, according to the 40th Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents by B’nai Brith Canada. .“Despite the dismal numbers posted in 2021, there is always hope for improvement,” said Mostyn. “Better reporting of hate crimes and incidents, better training and resources for police departments to recognize and combat antisemitism, may all make a difference, if achieved.”.About eight antisemitic incidents happened every day in Canada. There was a 733% increase in violent antisemitic incidents compared to 2020. .Barakat could not be reached for comment in time for publication..Jonathan Bradley is a Toronto-based contributor at the Western Standard. jbradley@westernstandard.news
