Open Letter in Support of Nadia Shoufani

B'nai Brith and the Simon Weisental Centre must be stopped from slandering critics of Israel. No matter where you stand on the issue of Israel/Palestine, this is an issue of Canadians' Charter Right to freedom of speech.

Ms. Shoufani was speaking on behalf of herself and her personal political and social beliefs. She was NOT speaking on behalf of her employer. The actions of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board are appalling and cowardly.

We won't submit to the Israeli lobby's intimidation tactics!

I'm an editor/writer not a teacher, but I heartily support Ms. Shoufani.

Canada is better than this. We are not the nation that gets bullied by racist lobbyists! Do not tarnish the values that this nation stands for by punishing this activist for practicing her freedom to speak. Reinstate Shoufani!

This is clearly an infringement of rights and an example of unjust treatment. I am happy to sign the petition.

Thanks.

I am a Reader in Philosophy at Heythrop College University of Lodnon. This is a ridiculous infringement of free speech.

What is happening in Canada in that citizens are not allowed to speak the truth in fear of reprisals from B'Nai Brith, the Friends of Simon Weisenthal and fundamentalist Christians

Whenever you have an army of occupation, you will have major human rights abuses but, it is shocking that such abuses like this have occurred in Canada. Reinstate the teacher immediately to show that you agree.

all of Canada should be outraged at this Brave woman's truth telling much respect...From Scotland

I am gravely concerned that an Ontario school board would suspend one of its teachers for no just cause. This contravenes the usual norms of democratic process and illegally penalizes dissent against the Israeli government. Many Jewish citizens of Canada do not agree with the criminalization of dissent approach taken by B'Nai Brith. We call on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic school board to do the right thing and reinstate Ms. Shoufani. We also call on the media to do their due diligence by not simply repeating unfounded B'nai Brith accusations as fact. We further call on the governments of Ontario and Canada to reject the push to criminalize voices which express legitimate concerns about Israeli human rights violations against the Palestinian people. Dissent does not equal anti-semitism.

Just like we now want our students to know the true history of our aboriginals we also must tell them the truth about Israel's natives the Palestinians whose homes are being taken away from them each day. I have seen it with my own eyes. This does not make us anti-Semitic or anti-Israel but it is the Israeli policy that is racist and un-democratic.

West Vancouver, BC

We Wont be silenced.. We are with our sister Nadia.

I support Nadia Shoufani's right to free speech and applaud her courage for standing up for human rights. I am calling for her immediate! Thank you. reinstatement.

You don't have to agree or disagree with what she said; you just have to recognize her right to say it without that being cause for dismissal from a job.

Nadia, you are not alone. all the people of justice and freedom in this world support you

Until the Israeli government apologizes for its malevolent and vicious behavior toward Palestinians in general, and begins to act with humility and kindness toward the inhabitants of the land they occupy illegally, I (as a pacifist) will not judge others for using whatever means they choose to escape from oppression and apartheid.

I applaud Ms. Shoufani for her courage to speak truth to power