TORONTO (July 4, 2017) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) supports the Ontario Court of Appeal's recent judgment in favour of American victims of terrorist acts committed by Hamas and Hezbollah - two terrorist groups that are supported by Iran.

"This judgment holds Iran accountable for its ongoing support of terrorism, a country that has been a consistent human rights violator and has called for the destruction of countries such as Israel," says Avi Benlolo, FSWC President and CEO. "As Canada works on reestablishing relations with the Middle Eastern country, including considerations of reopening the Canadian Embassy in Tehran, this decision reaffirms the importance of not normalizing such relations with the country."

The victims and families of those killed because of terrorist attacks had originally won their cases in the U.S. but had to turn to Canada due to few Iranian government assets remaining south of the border. 

Under Canada's Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, victims - including those from the U.S. - can sue foreign countries for damages. Iran had appealed previous court orders - arguing immunity from prosecution in Canada and Canada's violation of international law; however, the appeal court upheld all judgments.

Avi Benlolo is available to discuss FSWC's stance on this recent court decision. 

To arrange an interview, please contact: 

Atara Cadesky 
Communications Associate 
416.864.9735 x 30 
acadesky@fswc.ca

Avital Borisovsky 
Communications Associate   
416.864.9735 x 29 
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rights foundation committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educational programs.