Free Speech Monitor , May, 2000

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Canadian Jewish Congress outraged

CJC Wanted Oberlander's Lawyer Investigated for Comments

TOUCHY, touchy. Special interest groups like the Canadian Jewish Congress have for years pestered Canada's political establishment to refight WW II and prosecute aged Germans and East Europeans who were on the losing side more than half a century ago.

Since Doug Christie destroyed Canada's infamous war crimes law, the favoured tactic now is to try to strip these old men of their citizenship for having lied. In the case of Kitchener contractor Helmut Oberlander, the documents involving his application have long since disappeared. Nonetheless, a Judge Andrew MacKay recently ruled that, while there was no evidence Oberlander had ever particpated in crimes against humanity, he had probably concealed his role as a 17-year old translator for the Einsatzkommando unit and, therefore, obtained citizenship fraudulently. It might be noted that Immigration Department regulations forbid the detention of illegals merely because they're lying.

After the decision, Oberlander's lawyer Eric Hafemann maintained that a powerful lobby was attempting to sway public opinion and make the case political by petitioning politicians to strip Oberlander of his citizenship, stating that "the government is obviously catering to special interest groups." (Kitchener-Waterloo Record, February 29, 2000) Hafemann did not identify who these groups were. On Thursday (March 2, 2000), Keith Landy, chairman of the Ontario Region of the Canadian Jewish Congress, wrote Waterloo Regional Police Chief Larry Gravill for an investigation into whether Hafemann's should be charged with inciting violence under the Criminal Code. The CJC is claiming that Hafemann's comments were dangerous and inflammatory and views as a potential threat to the Jewish community. Landy asked the police department to "take any action which he deems appropriate" to ensure the safety of the Jewish conununity.

Bernie Farber (right) declared Hafemann's comments as "very disturbing. We know the code word (sic) 'special interest groups' refers to the Jewish community. Let's not be coy about it." Farber continued by stating that, even if Hafemann "is not consciously promoting violence, this kind of language could be picked up by those of ill will to do such a thing. It takes one kook or crackpot to read those words and feel somehow that permission is granted to do something against the law." (Kitchener-Waterloo Record, March 3, 2000).

It's ironic. Year after year, groups like the CJC reopen the wounds of World War II and create fear among the German and East European communities that yet another one of their aged members will be put through the wringer. That, apparently, is fine. Yet, to merely note that Canada's servile politicians are knuckling under to such pressure is to promote "violence," in the CJC's self-serving view.