TORONTO, Ontario โ A Canadian pro-Palestinian advocacy organization has launched a campaign urging the federal government to prevent former Israeli ambassador Mark Regev from entering Canada, days before he is scheduled to address a Toronto Jewish congregation on Yom Kippur.
Just Peace Advocates announced the campaign Sept. 16, saying it had submitted a complaint seeking to have Regev barred from Canada over allegations related to his decades representing and defending Israeli government policy.
The organization says it has appealed to Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to intervene. It is also encouraging supporters to contact the minister directly.
As of Sept. 18, the federal government had not publicly announced a decision preventing Regev from entering Canada.
Regev remains advertised as a featured guest at The Song Shul’s High Holy Days program at the Meridian Arts Center in Toronto. The congregation’s current schedule lists him for an afternoon discussion at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 and a final address at 6 p.m. before Ne’ila.
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto also continues to list Regev as The Song Shul’s featured Yom Kippur guest.
Campaign Targets Regev’s Record
Just Peace Advocates accuses Regev of providing what it describes as material support for war crimes, collective punishment and anti-Palestinian racism during his years as one of Israel’s most recognizable English-language representatives.
The organization advances those allegations as part of its political and legal advocacy campaign. No Canadian court or government body has found Regev criminally responsible for the conduct Just Peace Advocates alleges.
The organization cites statements and media appearances by Regev during previous Israeli military operations, including the 2006 Lebanon War and Israeli operations against Hamas in Gaza in 2008 and 2012.
Just Peace Advocates also describes Regev as having supported occupation and Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria and accuses him of spreading misinformation on Israel’s behalf.
The language reflects the organization’s characterization of Regev’s record rather than an adjudicated finding against him.
Just Peace Advocates describes itself as a Canadian-based independent human rights organization advocating for Palestinian rights and other international causes. Its recent campaigns have included efforts targeting Canadian charities, universities, investments and other organizations over alleged connections to Israel.
Regev Remains Scheduled To Speak
The Song Shul describes Regev as a former senior adviser to Israel’s prime minister, former Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom and former international spokesperson for the prime minister.
He currently chairs the Abba Eban Institute for Diplomacy and Foreign Relations at Reichman University.
The congregation advertises him as appearing “Live & In Person” for its Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur programming and says he will discuss developments in Israel.
The Yom Kippur program is scheduled for Sept. 21 at Meridian Arts Center, 5040 Yonge Street.
The Song Shul’s published schedule currently shows its morning Torah service beginning at 10 a.m., Yizkor at noon, Regev’s afternoon discussion at 1:30 p.m., Mincha at 5 p.m., Regev’s final address at 6 p.m., and Ne’ila beginning at 6:15 p.m.
The congregation’s current event page gives no indication that Regev’s appearances have been canceled.
Ottawa Asked To Intervene
The campaign effectively asks the Canadian government to make an immigration admissibility determination based on Just Peace Advocates’ interpretation of Regev’s statements and his role in successive Israeli governments.
Whether those allegations satisfy the legal requirements for denying a foreign national entry to Canada is a separate question governed by Canadian immigration law and ultimately determined by federal authorities.
At present, the publicly established facts are narrower than the campaign’s allegations.
Just Peace Advocates has asked the government to bar Regev. Regev is scheduled to appear in Toronto. The Song Shul continues to advertise him as a featured guest.
No publicly announced Canadian government decision has found Regev inadmissible or prevented him from attending the Sept. 21 event.
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Stand Proud. Stand Strong. Stand Zionist.
All these Israelophobic groups have such “beautifully ” assuming titles. “Peace,” especially.
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1. The bigots who are on a campaign to belittle the Holocaust, have been pushing the Gaza genoLIE when real genocidal Palestine Oct 7 victims bodies were still warm. 2. Check and you won’t find a single group or noted individual promoting the genoLIE who hasn’t already propagated the first pallyweid buzzword, “apartheid” – before Oct 7.