B’nai Brith Canada has condemned the City of Ottawa for allowing a conference with Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) member Khaled Barakat to take place in a city-run facility. .“The PFLP is a terrorist group that continues to commit violent terrorist attacks against Jews,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn in a press release..“They have murdered innocent civilians, butchered rabbis in a synagogue, hijacked an aircraft and who knows what else?”.Barakat had been scheduled to speak at the Fifth Assembly of the International League of People’s Struggles in Canada at the Foster Farm Community Centre, which is owned and operated by the City of Ottawa. Despite B’nai Brith’s Canada’s condemnation, it appears Barakat went ahead with giving a speech. .The PFLP was created in 1967, and its objectives are destroying Israel and enacting communism in Palestine. The group hijacked three airplanes and stormed the Vienna headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in the 1970s. .The PFLP helped to assassinate Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001. It was designated a terrorist organization in Canada in 2003. .Members of terrorist organizations are forbidden from coming to Canada or obtaining Canadian citizenship. .The City of Ottawa refused to cancel the event. .“The City takes these matters seriously and acknowledges its legal and Charter obligations regarding same,” said the city..“I can advise that I have contacted the event organizer/contract holder confirming the City’s expectations and for their assurance that the activities taking place will comply with the City’s requirements.”.B’nai Brith Canada has urged people who object to this decision to contact Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Ottawa city councillor Theresa Kavanaugh, and city manager Steven Kanellakos to prevent it from happening again. .B’nai Brith Canada demanded the Canadian government remove Barakat from the country in April. .“We have given the government every chance to do the right thing, but we can no longer stay silent,” said Mostyn. .“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 wrote about how Barakat had been living in Canada for about 20 years. .Glavin reported Barakat is believed to have become a Canadian resident in the early 2000s after being removed from the USA. He resided in Europe for several years, where he oversaw the PFLP from Berlin..Barakat could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
