Canada’s Jewish Tribune questions Shalit visit

VANCOUVER, Canada (JTA) — In anticipation of a visit to Canada by Gilad Shalit, the nation’s largest Jewish newspaper criticized the former captive Israeli soldier.

The Jewish Tribune, founded and still closely associated with B’nai B’rith Canada, cited a mixed reaction to Shalit’s four-city visit in September.

“While his story is intriguing and his return heartwarming, some have expressed concern that by appearing worldwide as an invited guest speaker, Shalit — who showed no resistance during his abduction nor made any attempt to protect his fellow IDF soldiers — could now become a new Israeli icon,” wrote Atara Beck, the Tribune’s Israel correspondent.

The article did not cite any sources critical of the visit. Shalit is scheduled to make appearances in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.

The Tribune also published a letter referring to Shalit as a “stumblebum” and calling his visit a “dubious honor.”

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.

The head of the Jewish National Fund of Canada, Shalit’s host for his Canada visit, said the planned speaking venues will be full.

“The response to it has been overwhelmingly positive,” CEO Josh Cooper told the Canadian Jewish News.

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.

Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, defended Shalit’s visit.

“He 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,” Fogel told CJN.

B’nai B’rith International disassociated itself from the Tribune’s story.

“The Jewish Tribune story in no way represents the views of B’nai B’rith International or its members and supporters around the world,” said the group in a statement.

“B’nai B’rith International has the deepest respect for Shalit and the horrors he endured as a Hamas captive. We are proud to have hosted him as a special guest at the B’nai B’rith Europe Young Jewish Adult Forum in London in November 2012, where he was warmly received. Some 200 delegates from more than 20 European countries, Israel, and the United States were on hand when Shalit was made an honorary B’nai B’rith International member.”