Toronto Jewish Group Speaks Out Against EDL Ally Pamela Geller

The Toronto Board of Rabbis (TBR) has expressed its “dissapointment” that a local Jewish group extended an invitation to controversial hate group founder Pamela Geller, who has been long criticised for her extreme criticism of Muslims.

“The Toronto Board of Rabbis (TBR) expresses its profound disappointment that a local Jewish organization has extended an invitation to Pamela Geller, a blogger who is known for her extreme criticism of Muslims in language that is intended to shock and ridicule.” 

“The TBR is a strong supporter of freedom of speech for all, including Ms. Geller. Ms. Geller’s voice and message are already well known here in Canada and beyond. There was no sense in inviting her here to Toronto to speak before a Jewish audience. Sadly the only sure result of this event will be increasing tensions within the Jewish community and between Jews and Muslims in Toronto.” 

“The TBR, which represents rabbis from all denominations of Judaism, wishes to make clear to all that it finds the invitation distasteful, just as it finds Ms. Geller’s views distasteful. We dissociate ourselves from the actions of the radical fringe Jewish group that extended the invitation. We call for more events here in Toronto that will build up friendship and understanding between local Jews and Muslims.”

Pamela Geller is a controversial personality, recently being the mastermind behind the ‘Support Israel – Defeat Jihad’ subway ads in New York.

Notably, she posted (and later removed) a video implying that Muslims practiced bestiality with goats and a cartoon depicting the Muslim Prophet Mohammad with a pig’s face (observant Muslims do not eat pork). Geller has also denied the genocide of Bosnian Muslims by Serbian forces in Srebrenica – calling it the “Srebrenica Genocide Myth.” She believes in various conspiracies.

In relation to the English Defence League (EDL), Geller described the EDL in May 2010 as “courageous English patriots” and has also said “I share the E.D.L.’s goals.”

Pamela Geller poses with key EDL leaders (second and fourth from left).

Further reading:

1. Intelligence Files - Pamela Geller