RESTORE THE GOOD NAME OF SUSAN HOWARD-AZZEH.

ACCUSATION OF ANTI-SEMITISM OFTEN USED TO SILENCE CRITICISM OF ISRAEL’S ACTIONS ?

The “Canadian Arab Federation Legal Defense Fund” & “Friends of Susan Howard-Azzeh Committee” call upon your help to restore the good name of long-time human rights activist & Palestinian supporter, Susan Howard-Azzeh, after she was unjustly portrayed as an anti-Semite & holocaust denier in the St. Catharines Standard, April 20, 2002. At the time, the paper was owned by Izzy Asper’s CanWest Global Company. Ms. Howard-Azzeh’s reputation was permanently damaged and a promised fultime executive position was lost as a result.

A LAWSUIT UNDER THE SLANDER & LIBEL ACT has been launched against the Standard by Ms. Howard-Azzeh. Susan has helped so many people, now is the time we can help her. She is fighting this battle on behalf of all human rights activists and Palestinians. This case CAN BE WON and MUST BE WON - for the benefit of all. (Fundraising Information at Bottom of E-mail.)

Sept 26, 2003 - News Release Upade 

BACKGROUND - END THE OCCUPATION RALLY - “In Memory Of Nidah”

Susan Howard-Azzeh is a respected activist in the field of human rights, anti-racism and peace. She is married to a Muslim Palestinian. March 5, 2002 the Israeli military bulldozed the home of their little cousin Nidah Azzeh in the Azzeh Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, in the Israeli occupied territories of Palestine, while Nidah, her mother and sister were still inside. Nidah, who had just turned 13, ran out of the front door to get to safety. When Nidah appeared in the doorway, an Israeli soldier shot her in the head. She died instantly. Her funeral picture sits near Ms. Howard-Azzeh’s computer. Susan states, “In the photo Nidah looks like a little sleeping angel; you would not know she is dead.” In memory of Nidah, social justice activists, children, Canadians, Canadian- Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims held a peaceful End the Occupation March and Rally in St. Catharines. Adult and child speakers called for an end to the illegal occupation and an end to the killing of both Palestinians and Israelis who are dying as a result of the occupation. Of 40 placards used in the march, the majority said, “End the Occupation”. Others said, “We Want Peace” or “Stop Killing Our Children.” One placard stated, “Sharon and Hitler are the same.”

NEWS COVERAGE

The next day, Saturday April 20, 2002, the top front-page headline in the Standard proclaimed, “Protest March Was The Worst Anti-Semitism” and characterized marchers as “holocaust deniers”. The Standard followed with an editorial attacking the credibility of Ms. Howard-Azzeh. The Standard also published more than a week of predominantly negative letters to the editor directed at Ms. Howard-Azzeh and her fellow marchers.

A REPUTATION DESTROYED

The article & editorial caused great damage to Ms. Howard-Azzeh’s solid reputation and health. She received hate mail, hate phone calls, computer viruses and social isolation. The Mayor called her into his office for an explanation of the news coverage. After 25 years of award-winning volunteer work, March 25, 2002 Ms. Howard-Azzeh had been promised a fulltime position as Executive Director of the St. Catharines multicultural centre. The job paid $50,000. which she needed to pay tuition for 2 of her 4 children entering college and university in September, 2003. After the Standard headline, the position was given to someone else.

“I WILL ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH and STAND UP FOR JUSTICE”

Statement published May 2002: Ms. Howard-Azzeh states “I and the marchers are not anti-Semites, holocaust deniers or anti-Jewish. I sympathize with the suffering of the Jewish people, especially during the holocaust, affirm the sanctity of all human life, and condemn the killing of both Palestinians and Israelis in the current Palestinian/Israeli crisis. Labeling anyone who disagrees with the policies & actions of Ariel Sharon & the Israeli government as anti-Semites & holocaust deniers is the worst form of censorship. It is very powerful and silences many people. It won’t silence me. I will always speak the truth & stand up for justice.”

MS. HOWARD-AZZEH FIGHTS FAIRLY FOR ALL

In addition to fighting for a variety of human rights causes, Ms. Howard-Azzeh lead the immobilization of the white supremacist neo-Nazi group, Heritage Front Niagara, and mobilized the community following the desecration of St. Catharines’ only Jewish cemetery.

OTHERS UNJUSTLY PORTRAYED AS ANTI-SEMITES: Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun; Neil McDonald, CBC; Father Robert Assaly; Arab and Jewish SPHR students at Concordia University; Professor Sherene Razack, OISE; Svend Robinson, MP.

FINANCING FOR THREE PROJECTS

We are in the process of raising $40,000. to $50,000. to cover legal costs for the lawsuit. Susan and her husband have contributed 1/5 of the costs. Final costs may be less or may be much more. Ms. Howard-Azzeh is suing for $1 million dollars. A successful financial settlement will be allocated for legal costs, damages, and to continue educational lobbying projects aimed at ending the occupation, for freedom of the press without slander, and for other civil liberties court cases.

DONATIONS MAY BE MAILED TO:

CAF Legal Defense Fund, 1057 McNicoll Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M1W 3W6 or

CAF Legal Defense Fund, Niagara Palestinian Association, Suite 112, 111 4th Ave, Ridley Square, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3P5

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO:

“CAF Legal Defense Fund - In trust”- Marked “SUSAN HOWARD-AZZEH CASE”.

FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:

Mr. Raja Khouri at president@caf.ca ,  416-493-8635. Re: the Defense Fund.

Mr. Burhan Azzeh at niag_pal@yahoo.ca .  905-984-6515

Mr. Rocco Galati, Legal Counsel, 416-536-7811

CAF LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

Any extra funds raised will be deposited in the “Canadian Arab Federation Legal Defense Fund” for future Civil Liberties Cases, administered by representatives of CAF (Raja Khouri), Niagara Palestinian Association (Burhan Azzeh) and representatives of human rights and faith organizations from across the country.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT !!

CAF Legal Defense Fund and the Friends of Susan Howard-Azzeh Committee.

QUOTES FROM DONORS

“We feel that labeling any dissent and criticism of the Israeli state as “anti-Semitic” is insulting, wrong, degrading and takes away from the real racist anti-Jewish threats that exist.” Jewish Youth Against the Occupation.

“No one should ever be subjected to the horrible abuse of a groundless allegation of anti-Semitism. The St. Catharines Standard should not be allowed to intimidate into silence activists who challenge Israel’s assault on the human rights of Palestinians. I wish you the best in your noble struggle for justice. Furthermore, ACCLA challenges all other Arab and Muslim Canadian organizations and individuals to match our donation of $1,000.00. Together we can raise the funds required to defend our community.” James Kafieh, President, Arab Canadian Civil Liberties Association. 416-529-6041 JK_CGM@hotmail.com.

“Enclosed please find $3,250. donated by members of the Calgary Mosque. I am happy that finally we, as Arabs and human rights groups, will no longer accept attacks by media groups…This legal defense fund is long overdue.” M Kadry, Islamic Association of Calgary, Alberta.

Susan Howard-Azzeh, Co-chair, Niagara Coalition for Peace, 905-984-6515  susanha103@yahoo.ca

See also Million-Dollar Lawsuit launched against St. Catharines Standard (Scott Stockdale November 29, 2003)