Recruiter of ‘volunteers’ for Israel military to face charges

 

In a sign of the brazenness of Israel’s supporters, the lead organ of Canada’s Jewish community has long received funds from and supported an organization whose raison d’être likely breaches Canadian law. But a recent legal victory could help change this sad state of affairs.

For years one of the most common advertisements in the Canadian Jewish News was for Sar-El Canada. “Express your Zionism by serving as a civilian volunteer on an Israeli army supply base”, read a regular Sar-El print ad. Another noted, “Volunteer as a Civilian worker for 2 or 3 weeks on an Israeli army supply base”.

Sar-El Canada brings about 150 Canadians to volunteer on Israeli army bases each year. They maintain the facilities, stock shelves and clean guns. According to Sar-El, the volunteers are responsible for “routine logistical support tasks normally assigned to active-duty soldiers and reservists.”

Sar-El Canada’s parent organization in Israel was set up by Israeli general Aharon Davidi four decades ago. The Israeli Defense Ministry said it “acquired services from the Sar-El organization in the area of volunteer recruitment to the IDF.” But Canada’s Foreign Enlistment Act says, “Any person who, within Canada, recruits or otherwise induces any person or body of persons to enlist or to accept any commission or engagement [combat or non-combat] in the armed forces of any foreign state or other armed forces operating in that state is guilty of an offence.” A Justice of the Peace recently allowed a private prosecution case to move forward so Sar-El Canada will soon have to defend itself in court.  (more...)

Recruiter of ‘volunteers’ for Israel military to face charges