Update: Canadian Network Disapproves of TV Host’s Anti-Israel and Anti-Jewish Remarks
February 6, 2012 12:35 by Simon PloskerWe republished HonestReporting Canada’s call for action against Quebec TV show host Stéphane Gendron, who lamented that “unfortunately, Israel has not yet collapsed” and that Israel “does not deserve to exist”. Thanks to the many of you who responded, the V-Network was bombarded with complaints and the story was picked up by a number of Canadian media outlets.
Courtesy of HonestReporting Canada, we republish the response of HRC and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs:
An Open Letter to V-Télé CEO Maxime Rémillard: V Must Assume Its Responsibilities (Jan.26, 2011)
Stéphane Gendron
From the onset of the recent controversy over Quebec TV host Stéphane Gendron’s comments denying Israel’s right to exist and incitement against Jews, V-Télé’s management has shown little understanding of the inflammatory nature of its host’s statements or willingness to address the problem seriously.
After Gendron claimed Israel made it a habit to “bulldoze” innocent Palestinians, V-Télé merely “reiterated” to the producers of Gendron’s show “the need for the program to adhere to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council’s guidelines”.
Clearly, Gendron was not impressed. In fact, throughout the Fall season Gendron accused Jews of “invent[ing] terrorism”, “steal[ing] the country from the Palestinians”, promoting French anti-Semite Dieudonné’s mocking of the Holocaust, and presenting Jews as being contemptuous of non-Jews, “an inferior ” in his own words.
Related post: Quebec TV Host Says Israel Doesn’t Deserve to Exist
Gendron’s hateful and discriminatory statements culminated in his regret that “unfortunately, Israel has not yet collapsed” and sentence that Israel “does not deserve to exist” broadcast on December 27.
In response to HonestReporting Canada’s criticism, V-Télé affirmed that it would now ensure that “when an issue is discussed, both sides are presented.” According to this logic, would balance be procured if V-Télé’s hosts made hateful and discriminatory statements against Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians?
Jon Blumenfeld
6:11 pm
Feb 06, 2012
With a name like “Stephane”, I thought it was a woman-probably not too far off looking at this sorry excuse for what passes as an “intellectual” north of the border….
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
22 
3
jeb stuart
6:15 pm
Feb 06, 2012
I love Canada,I have been travelling to Quebec most of my life and Ontario. But I still can’t get used to the idea they are both more liberal and conservative than Americans have become in addressing bigotry. And their respect for their war dead almost makes me feel shamed of American liberalism that allows the defaming of dead veterans by religious fruit cakes in our Mid-west. I have witnessed the decency and good will of Canadians most of my life but never felt it so strongly as I did obeserving the reception afforded the caisson of a Canadian Soldiers remains on the Highway of Heroes. I love my country but am willing to admit the Candians can teach us a few things. This article is another great example of Canadian civility and humanity.
Hot debate. What do you think?
9 
14
Mickey Oberman
3:44 am
Feb 07, 2012
Let us not ask The Human Rights Council for any assistance. It is an unfair, unregulated, undemocratic combination of Star Chamber and Kangaroo Court that consistently tramples all over human rights. It is a disgrace to Canada that it continues to exist.
Agree or Disagree:
1 
0
Claudia USA
6:20 pm
Feb 06, 2012
So where is Canada’s human rights council? They should be jumping on this…..or do they just jump on ex-patriots like Mark Steyn for writing the truth about Islam.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
45 
2
m
6:26 pm
Feb 06, 2012
They can’t jump on it cuz this piece of shit is gay and if they accuse it of anything, then he will scream it’s prejudice based on his sexual orientation.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
18 
6
Mickey Oberman
3:48 am
Feb 07, 2012
Let us not ask The Human Rights Council for any assistance. It is an unfair, unregulated kangaroo court that consistently tramples all over human rights. It is a disgrace to Canada that it continues to exist.
Agree or Disagree:
1 
0
Paul
6:31 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Trying to convince people like this about what reality is, is a waste of time. If you transported this idiot or other anti-semites to 1943, Auschwitz and let them watch, they would say the people must be actors. Perhaps Stephane should move to the Gaza and help lead the Palestineans rather than preach hate in Canada.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
40 
1
Stan Lee
7:35 pm
Feb 06, 2012
As for “Stephane,” it’s been implied in an earlier comment here that he is gay. If so, as far as Islam is concerned he’s “Dead man walking.” He’d never last in Gaza, but it’d be a great idea for him to go there.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
17 
1
Mickey Oberman
6:38 pm
Feb 06, 2012
V-Network’s assurances are not nearly enough.
They should devote as much time and in the same time slot as used by Gendron to spout his antisemitic diatribes to refute everything he has said and then to apologize for what was broadcast and for misleading its listeners.
Anything less is a farce.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
44 
1
Aisha2
6:41 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Stephane doesn’t deserve to exist!!! Let us pray!
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
20 
2
yafah1
6:52 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Yes Stephanie needs prayers- LOTS – but ….let’s don’t play Stephanie’s game and be nasty! – Unfortunately there are many like her – she is ignorant and …. have the diarrhea of the mouth !!!
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
9 
2
hadassa
8:52 pm
Feb 06, 2012
the world would be a better place if he had been drowned at birth!
Agree or Disagree:
2 
0
Debbie Talker
6:41 pm
Feb 06, 2012
What can an individual do to help get Mr. Gendron off the air?
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
24 
0
Dallas
6:51 pm
Feb 06, 2012
The antidote to bad speech is more speech, to the right people. Not only to share your disgust with the originators of this offensive material (Gendron and his network hosts), but the Canadian government departments relevant to this case, including your MP. A surprisingly few numbers of complaints to an MP will get action, since I assume that they wish re-election and therefore must follow through with their constituents’ concerns.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
18 
0
Sylvie Schapira
6:43 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Such bigotry knows no limits. This man’s remarks are shameful and he does need to be disciplined. His intense hatred, misuse of his position to manipulate his audience is reprehensible. I would guess that as he is a French Canadian, he identifies with Palestinians, and lashes out at Israel because he feels powerless to do so in his own country. It’s called projection. He is a damaged specimen. But how to convey to such ignorant people that their denial of Israel and (Jews) to exist is really a reflection of their own descent into tribal fear and hatred? This is a problem that we have always had to face and confront. ‘In every generation’ has a certain unpleasant ring about it now.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
30 
0
Robert John Bennett
6:48 pm
Feb 06, 2012
So, victories, small and large, are possible. I think we should be glad of that.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
9 
0
Paul Tenenbaum
7:12 pm
Feb 06, 2012
My wife and family lived in Quebec for a number of years. Most Quebecers and or Canadians are very decent and respectdful citizens. Some, depending on their upbringing based on religious beliefs, will express their hateful feelings against Jews. That is the case in France and other European countries. This Gendron character has a problem deep set in his mind. If he follows the Christian faith, he should know that Jesus was born a Jew and died a Jew killed by the Romans. These are facts. Our GOP candidate Gingrich stated recently that there was no such state as Palestine and that it was an invention. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Gendron should go through a brain cleaning process as there are so amny other matters far more pressing than Israel for him.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
16 
1
SBSteelers
7:13 pm
Feb 06, 2012
I always read that when there is anti-Israeli / anti-Jewish bigotry, the writer of the article, almost without fail, associates to the right as if it were on a political platform that everyone has to be reminded about. But I always see that it is the right, at least in the United States, who unabashedly support Israel with actions and never bow down to any Arab king. And it is the left that constantly associate Israel with apartheid, pro-PLO, pro-Hamas, redefining terrorism, pro Israel giving up everything and the “Palestinians” giving up nothing, pro-redrawing Israeli borders, and lamenting that Israel still exists, ad nauseum words.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
25 
3
Anama
7:16 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Does this speaking scorpion belongs to Muslim Brotherhood or some similar gang?
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
15 
1
Edward
7:34 pm
Feb 06, 2012
If Stephanie is against Occupation, and is a non-Native American, he should pack up his dolls and move to France where his type of speech is welcome.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
11 
2
Ezra
7:42 pm
Feb 06, 2012
It is very unfortunate that someone like this gets to voice his/her vile rhetoric on public air space. Quebec has some history regarding anti-Israel actions. It was the government of Quebec that once invited Yasser Arafat on an official visit to Quebec. It would seem that the majority of anti Israel people in Canada live in Quebec, it certainly does not seem to raise its ugly head in the other nine provinces to the same extent.I personally, as a Canadian bless Israel and sincerely hope that her future is bright. We recognize that it is not a perfect place but then such a place does not exist.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
23 
1
Paul Tenenbaum
7:48 pm
Feb 06, 2012
This is for the hawkish individual for whom there is only one RIGHT. If he were not so biased he would know that at the last meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Bibi stated without hesitation that our PRESIDENT deserved to wear the Israeli Badge of HONOR. Just ask the IDF what have received, are receiving and will receive from this Administration. Remove your prejudicial blindfolds.
You claim to be an extreme Zionist…. did you fight for Israel? Where were you in 1947, 1948, 1956,1967, 1973…?
What would you have done when the Arabs had accepted the partition in 1948? Israel did.
Agree or Disagree:
3 
4
Lynette Gautier
8:15 pm
Feb 06, 2012
I don’t understand this as I know Canada has passed a law prohibiting anti-Semitism – and you can’t get anything much more anti-Semitic than saying Jews have no right to exist. Does this mean the law has no teeth and will never be used to retaliate against such people as this Stephane?
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
11 
1
RGM
8:26 pm
Feb 06, 2012
V-Network is lying. Had they a shred of integrity, this wimpy POS would have been ruled off their air immediately after his first diatribe. They responded here to pressure on their behavior, not argument or persuasion on the opinion they hold and that was made manifest by that behavior.
Those that respond only to pressure, in my experience, are acting against their nature and seethe under the restriction so “imposed” upon them, just waiting to resume their despicable behavior when the heat has died down. We will hear such malicious crap on V-Network again, within the year. Even when the BBC has, on very rare occasions, admitted fault — it’s then gone right on with its anti-Israeli propaganda that they call “unbiased journalism.”
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
10 
0
Vicki
9:00 pm
Feb 06, 2012
What passion from Stephane Gendron when he clearly knows a little about the situation in the Middle East.
Perhaps he should talk to Colonel Kemp of the British Army who has actually got experience of Israeli Defence Forces, and what they have to deal with on a daily basis, and has witnessed their humane efforts..
Perhaps he could visit the Israeli hospitals where doctors are treating Palestinians and saving their lives.
Perhaps he could also visit Israel and see the tens of thousands of Muslims illegally flooding Israel to escape from oppressive Muslim run countries. These refuges ran away until finally finding Israel where they are given food, shelter and care.
Mr Gendron means well but unfortunately he is not helping those who really seek peace and safety. How sad that he has been given a platform for his misinformation. .
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
6 
1
Mickey Oberman
9:13 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Vicki,
“Mr Gendron means well…..”
Is your middle name Pollyanna?
What in anything he has said or done induces you to believe he means well?
Agree or Disagree:
2 
0
RGM
9:27 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Gendron knows all about the Middle East. He’s just your garden variety anit-Semitic b***h who found a complacent partner, V-Network, that can claim they are only upholding “freedom expression” when blamed for their not so subtle tacit agreement with Gendron’s position, evidenced by their repeated publication of his propaganada.
Means well? Given the chance, he would have approved of the Nazi death camps. Not realizing that his private life would have gotten him into the gas chamber even ahead of the Jews.
Agree or Disagree:
3 
1
Razleo
9:29 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Mr. Grindron says that Israel does not have the right to exist. Obviously, he has never read the Old Testament where God promises to bring the Jewish people from the 4 corners of the earth and to return them to their homeland which is Israel.Isaiah 11:12
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
5 
1
Dr C. Hird
10:28 pm
Feb 06, 2012
The first step that all interested parties should take is to boycott the station completely,
and write the station owners to advise them of the reason for this action.
This voice came from Canada, but the same sentiment is aired in the US, UK, across
Europe & Arab countries every day.
Don’t matter which angle you view their actions…it is ‘pure racism’.
Agree or Disagree:
3 
0
Maria
9:31 pm
Feb 06, 2012
It is very disheartening for WE GROWN UP INTELLIGENT PEOPLE TO HAVE TO LISTEN TO
THIS IMMATURE – GROSSLY ILLITERATE RADIO HOST — Guess he doesn’t have any education on world history – poor soul —
Agree or Disagree:
2 
0
Jim
9:44 pm
Feb 06, 2012
Hard to understand why this guy is still on the air. The best thing to happen would be that no one tune in to the station. That would send a message that his bosses would understand.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
6 
0
Mickey Oberman
10:26 pm
Feb 10, 2012
I am not familiar with the station. I presume it broadcasts in French.
I doubt that you will find many Francophone Quebecers willing to boycott it or, indeeed, many Francophones from other provinces.
The BBC will never criticise its own whether Anglo or Franco. It has never been sympathetic or even neutral toward Israel. It has and continues to employ “journalists” who are irrationally anti Israel. Gendron is merely one of a despicable flock of Israel bashers in The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s nest.
Agree or Disagree:
0 
0