Co-organized by on-campus Zionist youth movement Betar Tagar along with Conservative McGill, the screening also featured a presentation by University of Western Ontario Associate Professor of Political Science, and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Coalition for Democracies, Salim Mansur.
Mansur introduced the film with strong comments directly blasting the American public for their recent support of the Democratic Party in the Mid-Term elections, along with Canadians who stand with the Liberal and New Democratic Party. He stated that these individuals were in a “state of denial” and he likened their mindset to that of those who didn’t see the threat posed by fascism in the 1930s, comparing these individuals to “ostriches with their heads in the sand.”
Mansur’s sentiments were echoed in the movie, which was a frank portrayal of radical Islam and its intense hatred for the West — especially Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States. Interviews throughout the film featured right-wing Middle East experts such as author Daniel Pipes, former United States Justice Department prosecutor John Loftus, and former PLO member Walid Shoebat, all delivering the same message.
For Betar Tagar’s co-President, Josh Rosenblum, the screening of the film was “designed to increase awareness for terrorism in Canada.” Citing the recent vandalism at University of British Columbia’s Hillel, as well as the 2002 Netanyahu riots at Concordia University, he, like Mansur, compared current events to those of Nazi Germany. “We are living in an age of a casual Kristallnacht,” he said.
The event also marked the first for Betar Tagar in Montreal. The group had previously been active in Toronto, most notably when it vehemently protested the Israeli Apartheid Week at University of Toronto in February 2006. “We intend to make these students feel safe, knowing that they don’t have to apologize for having their own convictions,” explained Betar Tagar co-President Sara Rodier.
Both McGill and Concordia University students in attendance agreed that the screening of the film was important. “In the past year there have been two rallies, the first was protesting the Israeli incursion in Lebanon, and the second was protesting Canadian action in Afghanistan, both of these rallies contained individuals that expressed support for terrorist organizations identified by the Canadian government,” said Jayson Derrick, a Concordia University student.
Derrick said he believes that it is important to show this film at Concordia, however, he is doubtful that it would be allowed to run there. “The movie is clearly investigating radical Islam, [which is] something which we should all be concerned with,” he said, noting “[unfortunately], given the large active student body, I don’t think [it will ever be shown]…I feel saddened that my fellow students often won’t even take the time to look at the other side and realize they are indirectly supporting organizations that wish to destroy our civilization.”
Eric Abrams, a McGill University Middle Eastern studies student came to this event with the hopes of seeing how the filmmakers represent the Middle East and Islam. “Islam is portrayed in a different light in academic circles…I am very interested in seeing the truth behind the media veil,” said Abrams, adding “I try to have an open mind, and see things from an objective perspective.”
As an active member in the Jewish community, Abrams said he was also pleased to see Betar Tagar make its debut in Montreal, and launch by showing this specific film. “Betar is specifically focused on the political aspects of Israel, and represents a large segment of the Jewish student population of Montreal,” he said, noting “It’s a very controversial film, no matter what your viewpoint is…Betar is more specific in its right wing stance.”