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(JTA) — B’nai B’rith International disassociated itself from an article critical of Gilad Shalit published in a Canadian Jewish newspaper closely associated with B\u2019nai Brith Canada.<\/p>\n
In anticipation of Shalit’s four-city visit to Canada in September, the Jewish Tribune criticized the former captive Israeli soldier.<\/p>\n
“The Jewish Tribune story in no way represents the views of B\u2019nai B\u2019rith International or its members and supporters around the world,” B’nai B’rith International said in a statement. “B\u2019nai B\u2019rith International has the deepest respect for Shalit and the horrors he endured as a Hamas captive.”<\/p>\n
The statement added that the organization hosted Shalit as a guest at the B\u2019nai B\u2019rith Europe Young Jewish Adult Forum in London last November, where he was made an honorary B\u2019nai B\u2019rith International member.<\/p>\n
Atara Beck, the Tribune\u2019s Israel correspondent, in the story published last week by Canada’s largest Jewish newspaper wrote, \u201cWhile his story is intriguing and his return heartwarming, some have expressed concern that by appearing worldwide as an invited guest speaker, Shalit \u2014 who showed no resistance during his abduction nor made any attempt to protect his fellow IDF soldiers \u2014 could now become a new Israeli icon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The article did not cite any sources critical of Shalit\u2019s visit. He is scheduled to make appearances in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.<\/p>\n
The newspaper also published a letter referring to Shalit as a \u201cstumblebum\u201d and calling his visit a \u201cdubious honor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shalit was the only member of a three-man crew who survived a cross-border, guerrilla-style attack on June 25, 2006 by armed Palestinians who captured him and hid him in Gaza. He was released in a 2011 deal with Hamas in exchange for 1,027 prisoners, many of them convicted terrorists responsible for killing Israelis.<\/p>\n
The head of the Jewish National Fund of Canada, Shalit\u2019s host for his Canada visit, said the planned speaking venues will be full.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response to it has been overwhelmingly positive,\u201d CEO Josh Cooper told the Canadian Jewish News.<\/p>\n
Cooper told the Tribune that Shalit was not being honored by the JNF, but rather his visit was a way of thanking those in Canada who supported him during his captivity.<\/p>\n
Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, defended Shalit\u2019s visit. \u201cHe represented the very ethos that the Jewish state, Israel and the Jewish community in the Diaspora will do what it can do, however wrenching, to secure the release of those who served the state,\u201d Fogel told CJN.<\/p>\n