Bravo to Canada for Closing Embassy in Iran

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Sep 07, 2012, 12:14 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC applauded Canada's decision, announced today, to close its embassy in Tehran and expel all Iranian diplomats from Canada.

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"Canada has once again demonstrated the bedrock principles that define its foreign policy," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Tough, unambiguous diplomatic sanctions, such as Canada's, are needed -- in addition to existing economic measures -- to bring to bear additional pressure on the Iranian regime. Other democratic countries should follow Canada's laudable example and also break ties with Iran."

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, who made today's announcement, said: "Canada's position on the regime in Iran is well-known. Canada views the Government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today."

The foreign minister noted that "the Iranian regime is providing increasing military assistance to the Assad regime; it refuses to comply with UN resolutions pertaining to its nuclear program; it routinely threatens the existence of Israel and engages in racist anti-Semitic rhetoric and incitement to genocide; it is among the world's worst violators of human rights; and it shelters and materially supports terrorist groups, requiring the Government of Canada to formally list Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism."

Canada, according to the foreign minister, also feared for the safety of its diplomatic personnel in Iran. Last November, Iranian protesters ransacked the British embassy. The United Kingdom immediately broke off diplomatic ties.

Addressing AJC's Global Forum in Washington in April, Foreign Minister Baird forcefully criticized Iran's human rights record, speaking out for "women, Christians, Baha'is and other victims of persecution in Iran." He also stressed that "at the UN and elsewhere, we make it clear that Israel's right to exist is non-negotiable."

"Bravo to the Canadian government for doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time," said Harris.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee