I am writing in response to the August 29 article published by Honest Reporting Canada (HRC) and written by Rick Firth. I found the title striking, which is why my letter and its title reflect a similar tone.
I am writing in response to the August 29 article published by Honest Reporting Canada (HRC) and written by Rick Firth. I found the title striking, which is why my letter and its title reflect a similar tone.
I do not wish to focus entirely on the article's claims, which I believe misrepresent my views. My letters refer specifically to Zionist settlers and the IOF, not to Jewish people as a whole. I have highlighted concerns about actions taken against Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims. Criticizing atrocities anywhere in the world is an exercise of free speech, a right shared by all Canadians, but Rick sharing my personal information in his column to try to intimidate me is not okay.
Let's talk about the so-called Honest Reporting Canada. First, it is not a Canadian organization, but rather a privately funded one—funded by whom, I'm sure we can accurately guess. You can sign a petition to have HRC from Canada Revenue's charity registry here. HRC tries to ensure no one speaks against the atrocities, the genocide, and the Holocaust committed against the Gazans and the Palestinians. By the way, the word "Holocaust" is not anyone's property; it can be used whenever we see it happening again. Also, who gave them the right to monitor anyone in Canada and call them an antisemite? We do not accept that, and we do not give them the right to monitor us.
Just a few more points. Rick says that Sarnia Media Group Inc. received nearly $11,000 from the federal government (which is legal). So, how much did HRC receive from Zionists or from Israel? Please inform us. He writes about the Journal "effectively refusing to take action" and that "Colquhoun failed to respond to Honest Reporting Canada." So let me ask Rick this: why should the Sarnia Journal take action? And why should Mr. Colquhoun respond to Honest Reporting at all? Just because HRC has the audacity to demand it? Do they think that they are Israel, and we are the world leaders who must bend to every absurd demand they make? They act like they rule over Canadian journalists. But they don't. And as for calling others antisemitic as soon as they disagree with this group or write something against Israel… this has become old now. Please get over it. There are more pro-Palestinians in the world now than pro-Israelis, and I think it's high time that Rick and HRC accept that fact.
The Nakba of 1948 was real; the displacement, the killing, the rapes, and destruction of life and property were real. But today, it's happening on a much larger scale. A few days ago, Israel even assassinated Yemeni leaders. It has done so all over the Arab world. What gives it the right to do so, while people such as Rick and the HRC come and protect Israel and want no one to even point a finger?
Rabia Rizvi
