Patrick Brown has been criticized for comparing Palestinians to Ukrainians

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Brown called on Canada to do more to help Palestinian refugees, as well as those in Afghanistan and Yemen, as it did for Ukrainian refugees

Publication date:

May 2, 2022 • 1 hour ago • 3 minutes reading • 42 comments “The relocation of the Canadian embassy to Jerusalem” was used as a tool by politicians to gather support, not to promote peace in the region, “said a spokesman for Patrick Brown. Photo by Carlos Osorio / Reuters / File

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Patrick Brown is under fire from pro-Israeli groups after breaking with the Conservative Party of Canada’s official position on the Canadian embassy in Israel and on drawing analogies between Ukrainians and Palestinians.

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Brown, who is running for leader of the Federal Conservatives, made both comments in the transcript of an interview published over the weekend with Sada Al Mashrek, a publication that serves the Muslim community in Montreal. However, Brown’s team said Monday that the published transcript was an inaccurate representation of his views.

Shimon Kofler Vogel, president and chief executive of the Center for Israeli and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said he was concerned about Brown’s “disturbing comments” in the published article.

“We have worked directly with both Mr Brown and his campaign team and look forward to public clarifications that he can provide in the coming days,” he added.

Members of the Conservative Party of Canada voted overwhelmingly in 2018 in favor of the relocation of the Canadian embassy to the Israeli capital from Tel Aviv, which the United States did the same year. The two former Tory leaders, Erin O’Toole and Andrew Scheer, have vowed to move the embassy if elected prime minister. However, because the Palestinians insist that East Jerusalem should become part of a future Palestinian state, most countries are avoiding setting up embassies in Jerusalem.

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In an interview with Sada Al Mashreq, Brown answered a question about the relocation of the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, saying: “If I am prime minister, I will not move the embassy.”

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Brown was also asked if he saw any “double standards” between Canada’s treatment of Ukrainian refugees and the military as they fight the Russian invasion, and Palestinian refugees and territories the Palestinians consider “occupied” by Israel.

“That’s what I did. That’s why I spoke out against violence in Palestine,” Brown said. countries, but believes that Canada has reiterated “the position of Washington, DC and Donald Trump” on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. “I do not care to be a sheep following others. for right, ”Brown said.

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He also called on Canada to do more to help Palestinian refugees, as well as those in Afghanistan and Yemen, as it did for Ukrainian refugees. He also noted that he was the first Canadian politician to issue a public statement last month on clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. On April 15, Brown tweeted that he was “deeply concerned about the violence in Jerusalem” and called for peace.

“It is dishonest to compare the situation in Ukraine with the riots at the Al Aqsa Mosque,” said Michael Mostin, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada. “Israel will continue to defend itself against incitement to terrorists, just as Ukraine will continue to defend itself against Russian military aggression.

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“Patrick Brown needs to know that,” Mostin continued.

Asked to clarify his position, Brown’s team suggested that the views of the candidate for leadership “are not presented exactly in the article.”

“Although he believes Canada must act quickly to help refugees, he has never painted or intended to compare the tragedy of the refugee situation in Ukraine,” campaign spokesman Brown said in a statement to the National Post.

However, Brown did not back down from his position on the location of the Canadian embassy.

“The main priority now is and always has been the decision of two countries for peace in the region. “The relocation of the embassy is being used by politicians to gather support, not to promote peace in the region,” the spokesman said.

Mostin said it was “unfortunate” to read that Brown would not move the Canadian embassy to the Israeli capital.

“Each country has the right to choose what its capital should be. And Israel chose Jerusalem. “

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