The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs welcomes Canada's decision to list the IRGC's Qods Force as a terrorist entity

TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs strongly welcomes today's announcement by Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews to add Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) Qods Force to the list of terrorist entities that fall under Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act. Today's decision, which follows the Government's recent addition (December 11, 2012) of the IRGC to the Special Economic Measures Act, significantly enhances Canada's array of legal and security tools available to combat Iranian support for terrorism.

"The Canadian Jewish community deeply appreciates today's long anticipated announcement by the Conservative government," said David Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. "For many years, we have called for this measure as the next logical step in countering international terrorism - and we are gratified that the government has responded to this appeal."

"In sponsoring horrific terror acts that have claimed scores of lives around the world, the Iranian regime has acted with impunity for far too long," said Koschitzky. "Canada's listing of the IRGC sends a clear and direct message to Tehran that it will be held to account for past and future acts of terrorism."

The Centre also applauds the unanimous support for listing the IRGC under the Anti-Terrorism Act by Canada's two largest opposition parties, and particularly commends the Liberal Party for its efforts in support of this policy.

The IRGC is widely suspected of having played a pivotal role in various high-profile attacks, including the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy and the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre (both in Buenos Aires), as well as last February's attack on Israeli diplomats in New Delhi. The IRGC is also alleged to support a range of international terror organizations, including Hezbollah and the Taliban. In addition to its role as a sponsor of terrorism, the IRGC is also the principle agent in Iran's illegal efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is a non-partisan organization that serves as the Canadian Jewish community's official spokesperson to government and media.

SOURCE: Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

Steve McDonald
Associate Director, Communications
416-953-4417
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