Outrageous censorship

Letters

This letter was originally sent to Gerry Zipursky, executive director of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, and is reprinted with permission.

Dear Mr. Zipursky:

I am writing to follow up on recent events at the Jewish Community Centre that give rise to deep concerns about freedom of artistic expression. I must also voice my sense of anger about comments attributed to you in a recent article in the Jewish Western Bulletin on these events. ("JCC plans to set policy on art," Cover, Dec. 6)

Jeannie Kamins, a talented artist who has exhibited across Canada, did a portrait of me many years ago. This portrait, which I believe is a very fine piece, was included in her recent exhibition at the centre. I understand that she was asked to remove this portrait as there had been some complaints about its inclusion in the exhibit. Some people were apparently angry that my portrait was included, in view of statements I have made on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It is outrageous that an artist should be asked to censor her work because some people find it offensive. I would join my voice with Ms. Kamins' in requesting that the board of the centre review what happened here and ensure that policies are put in place to make it clear that this will never happen again. I trust that you will provide members of the board with a copy of this letter, and I look forward to their reply on this important subject.

In the Bulletin article, you state that "some people, particularly Holocaust survivors, found [the portrait] offensive." The implication of this cheap personal attack is that, in some undefined way, the positions I have taken on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are in conflict with respect for Holocaust survivors and their terrible experiences. As one who has fought for many years, often virtually alone in Parliament, for bringing to justice the Nazi perpetrators of these monstrous crimes, including working with the Simon Wiesenthal Centre and speaking at the commemoration ceremonies in Ottawa, whose family in Denmark helped Jews fleeing the Nazis, and who has regularly joined in the Kristallnacht ceremonies in memory of Holocaust victims, I find this insinuation deeply offensive. I trust that, upon reflection, you will withdraw it and do the honorable thing and apologize. We can have a vigorous debate on Middle East politics, but surely without this kind of personal slur.

Svend Robinson, MP
Burnaby-Douglas

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