Toronto (June 8, 2020) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is appalled by Israeli BDS activist Gilad Paz’s attempt to abuse and make a mockery of Canada’s refugee system and commends Canada for its decisive rejection of the man’s claim for asylum.

Paz filed for refugee status in Montreal in 2016, claiming he was fearful of “persecution” in Israel due to his anti-Israel beliefs. Israel, like Canada, is a democracy bound by rule of law, with rights of free expression guaranteed to all its citizens.

According to reports, Canada rejected Paz’s claim as well as his subsequent appeal and has ordered his deportation back to Israel.

“Canada prides itself on welcoming refugees fleeing genuine persecution, so it is shameful that anyone would try to take advantage of our refugee system for the purpose of some type of absurd publicity stunt,” said Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, Director of the Campaign Against Antisemitism at FSWC. “While the antisemitic BDS movement makes every attempt to spread lies and misinformation about Israel, the fact remains that as the only democratic country in the Middle East, Israel guarantees every citizen the right to speak their mind freely and without fear. We support Canada’s decision to reject any bogus and politically-motivated claim for asylum.”

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