Tag Archives: printonline

The Province: Jewish groups fight TransLink over Palestine ad campaign

province
Sam Cooper and Stephanie Ip, The Province Newspaper, July 27, 2013

SFSC Note: In print and later online editions the headline / subhead was changed – ‘Grave concern’ over transit ads / Jewish groups: Palestine poster campaign described as an attack on Israel, Jews

Jewish groups in Vancouver say they are considering suing TransLink for accepting controversial political advertisements showing the “disappearance of Palestine due to Israeli occupation over the past 66 years.”

On Tuesday, a group called the Palestine Awareness Coalition announced the launch of 15 bus posters and a large mural in a central Vancouver SkyTrain station, that depict the territory of Palestine steadily shrinking into the state of Israel in a succession of dated maps.  Continue reading

Vancouver Sun: Vancouver’s controversial pro-Palestine ads planned for other Canadian cities

VANCOUVER SUN Aug. 28, 2013 — A controversial ad campaign on Vancouver’s transit system showing the territory of Palestine shrinking into the state of Israel will run in other Canadian cities this fall, says the coalition behind the images.

“We do know that in other Canadian cities, for example in Toronto and in Calgary, there will be ads” running sometime this fall sponsored by advocates in those cities, said Charlotte Kates, a spokeswoman for seven Vancouver-based groups calling themselves the Palestine Awareness Coalition. Continue reading

Globe and Mail: Pro-Palestine transit ads will not be removed, TransLink says

The Globe and Mail: August 28, 2013

TransLink says a series of ads that depict the territory of Palestine shrinking into the state of Israel will not be pulled from a transit station or buses in the Vancouver area. Continue reading

CKNW: Ad series designed to be educational, raises eyebrows

CKNW AM980, Shane Woodford, August 28

A series of ads posted in the transit system by the Palestine Awareness Coalition has caused a stir.

Coalition spokesperson Marty Roth says the ads show the, “continual expropriation of Palestinian land.”

“We are aiming this at the general Canadian public and we want them to be aware of the situation and hopefully to go online and read about it.” Continue reading

CBC: TransLink Israel-Palestine ads cause controversy


CBC: August 28, 2013
The chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver is demanding TransLink take down controversial ads relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The ads, titled “Disappearing Palestine,” feature four maps showing the Palestinian territories shrinking into the state of Israel over the last six decades.

The posters, produced and funded by the Palestine Awareness Coalition, appear on about a dozen buses and in the City Centre SkyTrain station. Continue reading

SFSC: Ad Series Brings “Disappearing Palestine” to Vancouver Public Transit

transitadPalestine Awareness Coalition, August 27, 2013 – The realities of Palestinian land loss are on display in Vancouver, as a new series of transit ads has been posted at the Vancouver City Centre SkyTrain station and on 15 TransLink buses, on August 27, 2013. The ads, created by the Palestine Awareness Coalition, made up of seven Vancouver-area peace and justice groups, depict the “disappearance” of Palestine due to Israeli occupation over the past 66 years. Continue reading

Translink: Advertising on Transit System

Translink Media Release: August 27, 2013

Recently, TransLink received comments regarding an advertisement currently running within the transit system.

TransLink does not endorse nor advocate any position put forward by outside advertisers. In addition, as a public agency, TransLink’s advertising policy cannot violate freedom of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Freedom of expression is a protected right under the Charter.

TransLink does not have the legal authority to deny ads as long as the ads comply with the Code of Canadian Advertising Standards, other laws such as the Human Rights Act and TransLink’s Advertising Policy. This is in accordance with a 2009 Supreme Court of Canada decision that struck down the portion of TransLink’s Advertising Policy that prohibited advocacy ads. Continue reading

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Condemns Ads Slated for TransLink, Vancouver

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal: 26 Aug 2013 TORONTO, ONTARIO

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center is deeply disturbed to learn about TransLink’s agreement to run historically distorted anti-Israel advertisements on its buses and SkyTrain stations. Continue reading

National Post: Jewish alumni ‘distressed, disappointed’ over Queen’s University plan to give Jimmy Carter honourary degree

Sarah Boesveld, Nov 15, 2012, National Post

Queen’s University is facing a backlash from Jewish alumni over its decision to award former U.S. president Jimmy Carter — a strong critic of Israel — an honourary degree next week.

Shimon Fogel, chief executive of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said his organization has received about 50 “angry and frustrated inquiries” over the past month from graduates of the respected Canadian university, worried their school will be tarnished by Mr. Carter’s view of Israel as an apartheid state and his controversial relationships in the Arab world. Continue reading

Human Rights and Solidarity Groups in Canada support Richard Falk

Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign, Nov 3, 2012

If you would like to sign on to this statement, please email boycottapartheid@gmail.com or click here to use our online form.

Statement on Richard Falk

We, the undersigned, write today to make clear our strong opposition to the recent Canadian government call for the resignation of Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The attack came following comments by Richard Falk on October 24 that highlighted corporate complicity in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and Jerusalem. He noted that the settlements are in clear violation of international law, and warned that civil and criminal liability may be extended to companies acting in contravention of international human rights. Falk called for boycott of corporations engaging in such business practices, drawing particular attention to the activities of Caterpillar Incorporated (USA); Veolia Environment (France); G4S (United Kingdom); The Dexia Group (Belgium); Ahava (Israel); the Volvo Group (Sweden); the Riwal Holding Group (the Netherlands); Elbit Systems (Israel); Hewlett Packard (USA); Mehadrin (Israel); Motorola (USA); Assa Abloy (Sweden); and Cemex (Mexico) in establishing and maintaining settlements. Continue reading