I have never supported Hamas, says Galloway

[bemildred]

British MP George Galloway says ambulances and medical supplies he gave to Hamas were meant for Palestinians battered by the Gaza conflict, dismissing the reasons behind a decision to block his entry into Canada.

"I have not now, nor have I ever been a supporter of Hamas," Galloway told CTV's Power Play by phone from New Jersey on Tuesday. "If I had a vote in the Palestinian elections it would not go to Hamas."

Galloway, an anti-war advocate who has resided in the British House of Commons for the past 23 years, is currently on a speaking tour of North America, which includes dates in Canada.

Two weeks ago, allegations surfaced that he had financially supported Hamas, a group that Canada defines as a terrorist organization. On a preliminary basis, the Canada Border Services Agency decided to block Galloway from entering Canada.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090324/galloway_canada_090324/20090324?hub=QPeriod

LOL. "I have not now, nor have I ever been a supporter of Hamas." He knows his US history, apparently.

[Scurrilous]

1. British lawmaker barred from Canada

<snip>

"A controversial British lawmaker will not be allowed into Canada to deliver a series of anti-war speeches.

The Federal Court in Canada, ruling Monday on the upcoming visit by George Galloway, sided with the Canada Border Services Agency, which earlier this month deemed the outspoken parliamentarian inadmissible. The agency said Galloway was guilty of providing material support for terrorism. The court had considered an injunction from Galloway's lawyers to allow him in the country.

The government's allegation appeared to stem from the fact that Galloway made a $45,000 donation to the Hamas government in Gaza and helped deliver humanitarian goods to the coastal strip after Israel's recent military offensive in the region.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney refused to override the border agency's finding.

Canada's Jewish advocacy groups, which called Galloway a terrorist sympathizer for his support of Hamas and the Taliban, applauded the court ruling.

Galloway, who is in the United States on a speaking tour, was scheduled to speak Monday night in Toronto and later in three other Canadian cities. Organizers now say he will still speak at the events through video feeds.

The Canadian wing of the Jewish Defense League, which took credit for the initial decision to bar Galloway, has alleged his talks were not just a speaking junket but a fund-raising tour that would have benefited Hamas, which Canada bans as a terrorist organization."

http://jta.org/news/article/2009/03/30/1004105/judge-bars-british-lawmaker-from-canada


Galloway speech will aid Hamas, group alleges

<snip>

"George Galloway's planned visit to Canada is not just a speaking junket, but a fundraising tour that would benefit the outlawed terrorist group Hamas, the Canadian wing of the Jewish Defence League alleged yesterday.

The controversial Zionist group cited a press release from Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights, one of Mr. Galloway's hosts, that said a Montreal event on Wednesday "will aim to raise additional funds for Galloway's Gaza aid caravan."

On Monday, a federal court judge in Toronto upheld a Canadian travel ban for the outspoken British MP and antiwar activist."

<snip>

"Meir Weinstein, national director of JDL, said he did not know if it was his March 16 letter, citing Mr. Galloway's own promotional material, that tipped the Conservative government to the visit.

But he praised the decision, taken four days later, to inform Mr. Galloway that he would be refused entry to Canada because he had "provided financial support to Hamas," in the form of an aid convoy to Gaza."

<snip>

"Laith Marouf, branches coordinator for Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights in Montreal, said that for the JDL to accuse others of supporting terrorism "is like the pot calling the kettle black."

He referred to the FBI's description of JDL as "a violent extremist Jewish organization." Among other critics, the Southern Poverty Law Center calls it a "hate group," and denounces its "long history of bombing, assaulting and threatening its perceived enemies."

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1444662

[geek tragedy]

2. The JDL is still around?

I thought they all moved to Hebron and registered Yisrael Beiteinu.

[Idealism]

4. As recently as 2001, the FBI listed them as a terrorist organization

I would say they are alive and kicking.

[geek tragedy]

3. He. did. not. have. political relations. with that organization.

Hamas.

Did he wag his finger or bite his lip?

[bemildred]

5. Barred British MP taunts Canadian minister

OTTAWA, March 31 (UPI) -- A British member of Parliament, barred from Canada for his Middle East peace efforts, taunted the Canadian immigration minister electronically from New York.

MP George Galloway used an Internet video link to speak to a Toronto anti-war group Monday night about a recent aid mission he made to Gaza, The Globe and Mail reported.

However, Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney ordered officials to deny him entry into Canada, saying he was helping Hamas, which Canada considers a terrorist organization for its refusal to recognize the Israeli state.

---

"It is poetic justice that the message I would have brought ... will now be heard and seen by so many more people than Jason Kenney could have imagined," Galloway said. "Do you know what, Kenney? I think it's spectacularly backfired. And here's why: It's just not credible to call a five-times elected, 23-year member of British Parliament a terrorist or a security threat."

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/03/31/Barred_British_MP_taunts_Canadian_minister/UPI-32051238498874/

[Jefferson23]

6. I wonder if Nadia Matar has ever given a speech in Canada, and

if so, was there a response from Canadian officials.

[Scurrilous]

7. British MP sues Jewish leaders, Kenney

<snip>

"British MP George Galloway is suing Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and the heads of two major Jewish groups over remarks they made about him when he was barred from entering Canada in March.

Galloway was scheduled to appear on a speaking tour in Canada but the Canada Border Services Agency denied him entry. Kenney refused to override that decision, saying he would not give special treatment to someone who gave financial aid to Hamas.

In addition to Kenney, Canadian Jewish Congress co-president Sylvain Abitbol and CEO Bernie Farber, as well as B’nai Brith Canada executive vice-president Frank Dimant were served with formal notices of a libel action.

“I welcome robust criticism, but the comments made about me crossed the line. They are not only untrue, they are outrageous,” Galloway said in a statement.

Farber said “we pored over all our statements. All appear to be fair comment. It’s difficult to understand what his thinking is in the libel case."

http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16842&Itemid=86

[bemildred]

8. I must say I look forward to the impartial ajudication of this dispute.

:popcorn:

[shira]

9. of course Galloway supports Hamas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmhrWoSTpys&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dggeorge%2520galloway%2520support%2520hamas%26rls%3Dcom%2Emicrosoft%3Aen%2Dus%3AIE%2DSearch&feature=player_embedded

"I have not now, nor have I ever been a supporter of Hamas," Galloway told CTV's Power Play by phone from New Jersey on Tuesday. "If I had a vote in the Palestinian elections it would not go to Hamas."

:eyes:

[LeftishBrit]

10. The Canadian government has certainly given Grandstanding George a bit of free publicity!

As if he wasn't pretty good at generating it for himself.

Galloway is a prat, but the Canadian government went way over-the-top.

[bemildred]

11. Yah. nt