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NEWS ARCHIVE Legislative Victory in Canada | Legislative Victory in Canada |
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From the synagogue's bimah I spoke about the terror victim litigation we had pioneered, which was then still in its earliest stages as well as our efforts to make the terror groups and the state sponsors pay for their brutal attacks against innocent civilians. The packed to capacity audience fully connected with the idea that we needed to bankrupt the terrorists and win a measure of justice and compensation for the victims. They understood the terror victims wanted to fight back. After the speech, I was approached by an attorney named Aaron Blumenfeld who was very excited by what he had heard. He told me he was amazed at the legal possibilities of using the courts to fight terror and he wanted to work on enacting legislation in Canada that would mirror the American laws which allowed victims to pursue outlaw regimes like Iran, Syria and North Korea through civil actions. Aaron didn't just talk - he did. He pushed on and organized an effective lobbying effort. Together with the then newly formed Canadian Coalition Against Terror (CCAT) they began the difficult work of speaking to legislators, building up public support, lobbying the Cabinet, raising funds and drafting bills. |
A note from Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, June 4, 2009: In November 2002 I was invited to speak at Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue in Toronto. It was my first time visiting Canada and I was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic reception and the massive turnout I received for my presentation. I had no idea that the Toronto community was so energetic in its support of Israel. It was the midst of the Palestinian intiafada violence and the horrifying suicide bombings in Israel were a daily occurrence.