Coalition Agaist Hate

To:  All those involved with the issue of Dr. M. Elmasry's comments

On the October 19, 2004 airing of the Michael Coren Show, Dr. Mohamed Elmasry claimed that all Israelis over the age of 18, irrespective of gender, are legitimate targets for Palestinian suicide bombers: "They are part of the Israeli army, even if they have civilian clothes." The host, Michael Coren, offered Elmasry an opportunity to reiterate, clarify, or even withdraw his statement. Elmasry declined to withdraw his statements on the program and maintained his original position.

In addition to his position as a tenured professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo (UW), Dr. Elmasry is an Advisor to the Middle East Studies Option and a member of the UW Middle East Studies Program. Dr. Elmasry's statements have alienated many members of the University's Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Israeli and Jewish communities, as well as the general campus population. This includes administration, fellow faculty, staff and students at the University of Waterloo. Furthermore, this incident has impacted the greater Kitchener-Waterloo community, including members of Wilfrid Laurier University.

According to the University of Waterloo's Policy on Ethical Behaviour, it is an offence to create a poisoned environment or one that is intimidating, hostile or offensive on campus. This is described as a comment or conduct that is contrary to the aims of maintaining a supportive, respectful and tolerant environment. A violation of this Policy may result in the University enacting disciplinary measures against the offender.

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I join with the Coalition Against Hate in the belief that:

* Dr. Elmasry's comments on the Michael Coren Show promote hatred and may be interpreted as an incitement to terrorism.

* Dr. Elmasry's comments serve to legitimize the murder of innocent civilians.

* Dr. Elmasry's comments are abhorrent, reprehensible and are a gross violation of his position of authority as a Professor at the University of Waterloo.

* Dr. Elmasry's comments disqualify his ability to act in a balanced and objective manner in his role as an Advisor to the University of Waterloo's Middle East Studies Option.

* Dr. Elmasry has created a poisoned environment at the University of Waterloo and has damaged the University's reputation on a national scale.

* Dr. Elmasry is in direct violation of the University of Waterloo's Policy on Ethical Behaviour and he should be suitably disciplined to re-establish a safe and responsible environment on campus and restore academic integrity to the University.

To pledge your organization's support, or for more info, please e-mail: cah_waterloo@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Coalition Agaist Hate Petition to All those involved with the issue of Dr. M. Elmasry's comments was created by Coalition Against Hate and written by Jonathan Bright (cah_waterloo@yahoo.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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