October 29, 2003 - November 30, 2003
Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler and Laval University linguist Annette Paquot were awarded the Jerusalem Prize by the Canadian Zionist Federation last week, for their longtime advocacy of Israel.

CZF Eastern Region acting president Arlazar Eliashiv spoke of Cotler’s long history of human rights advocacy and work in Parliament. “Your voice is like the sound of the shofar,” Eliashiv said. “It’s always heard in the Canadian Parliament, around the world, or anywhere Israel is under attach,” he said.

Israeli Consul-general Marc Attali said Cotler has “generated a better understanding of Israel’s plight both here in Canada and internationally. “He has shown tremendous commitment to advancing the cause of peace, by actively encouraging dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians for over 20 years.”

Attali also paid tribute to Paquot, a non-Jew who has written opinion pieces denouncing calls for academic boycotts of Israel and condemning anti-Jewish and anti-Israel incitement, and participated in pro-Israel rallies “to forward Israel’s causes and defend Israel’s image.”

A gratified Cotler said Jerusalem holds deep symbolic significance for him and his family. “Jerusalem is not only a city, it is a heritage,” he said. “Jerusalem is not only the capital of Israel, but it is at the epicenter of Jewish history. Jerusalem is not only a place where people live, but where lives are transformed.”

L-R Arlazar Eliashiv, President of the CZF, Eastern Region; Irwin Cotler, O.C., M.P.holding the Jerusalem Prize; Marc Attali, Consul General of Israel in Montrea