Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies Cautions Against Releasing Funds to Pride Toronto Until After the 2011 Pride Parade

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 25, 2011) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is pleased to note that Pride Toronto has agreed to ensure the hate group Queers against Israeli apartheid (Quaia) will not be allowed to march in the 2011 gay pride parade. FSWC cautions, however, that no money should be turned over to Pride Toronto until it is clear that Quaia and Pride do not renege on their word and that no hate groups march in this year's parade.

"The term 'Israeli apartheid' is a lie designed to provoke hate against Israel and the Jewish community that supports it," says Avi Benlolo, human rights activist and President and CEO of FSWC. "It is deeply distressing to see that so many members of the gay community have bought into this lie and continue to obsessively target Israel while ignoring the horrific atrocities happening in countries like Libya, Syria and Iran every day.

"Israel continues to be targeted for one reason only: because is it a "Jewish" state- and that feels very much like anti-Semitic hatred to us," he adds.

FSWC intends to hold Pride to its word that it will prevent Quaia from marching in the parade, and will encourage the City to support Pride if the parade is truly hate-free.