What proof should a reader expect when a media outlet writes the following:
“neo-Nazis aligning with some Jews on the right”
On April 18, 2018 the Canadian Jews News (CJN) published an article entitled “Second Canadian charged in AIPAC beating” written by Ron Csillag.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
“[Brandon David William] Vaughan’s pro-Jewish leanings seem to reflect the growing phenomenon of white nationalists and neo-Nazis aligning with some Jews on the right.
“I am absolutely staggered that Jews would ever make common cause with Nazis,” said Bernie Farber, founding chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Foundation and a former CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress.
On April 30, 2018 I contacted CJN Editor, Yoni Goldstein and CJN Staff Reporter, Ron Csillag regarding the article. I informed them that I am not in any way condoning the behaviour of Mr. Vaughn. I am questioning the connections made in the article between Nazis and Jewish groups. I asked them to please identify the “neo-Nazis aligning with some Jews on the right” and provide the names of these individuals and/or groups.
In response to my questions, Mr. Goldstein sent this link. (I have not heard back from Mr. Csillag)
“See this piece for example:
JDL PARTNERS WITH SOLDIERS OF ODIN ON ‘AD HOC’ BASIS
Here is an excerpt from the article in which Bernie Farber called the Soldiers of Odin (SOO)) “an old neo-Nazi motorcycle club.”
Bernie Farber, a longtime observer of extremist organizations, doesn’t believe SOO Canada is anything but “an old neo-Nazi motorcycle club,” whose views are derived from a racist ideology and whose animus is aimed at the Muslim community.
He called the JDL’s association with it “a shanda (disgrace). I can’t even conceive of it. It takes my breath away.”
Farber, the executive director of the Mosaic Institute and former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said the JDL and SOO are brought together by a shared “Islamophobic” viewpoint.
Mr. Weinstein said he had met with members of SOO on May 3 to plan security for another demonstration featuring Sandra Solomon, which was scheduled to take place at Nathan Phillips Square this past weekend, to protest M-103. Weinstein said he expects antifa protesters to attempt to disrupt the event.
Ties between the two groups are “ad hoc,” Weinstein continued, though he expects they might collaborate again in the summer, to protest the annual Al-Quds Day rally at Queen’s Park. That event was conceived by the government of Iran to oppose Israel’s existence and its control over Jerusalem, and has featured a number of speakers repeating anti-Semitic stereotypes and espousing violence against Israelis.
Vaughan’s pro-Jewish leanings seem to reflect the growing phenomenon of white nationalists and neo-Nazis aligning with some Jews on the right.
“I am absolutely staggered that Jews would ever make common cause with Nazis,” said Bernie Farber, founding chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Foundation and a former CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress.
I then informed Mr. Goldstein that based on CJN’s article an Anti-Pegida Canada group had posted the following: “Neo-nazi/JDL supporter (you read that right) indicted.”
I asked Mr. Goldstein if CJN’s Ron Csillag is suggesting that Mr. Vaughan is a neo-Nazi? If yes, please provide evidence that indicates that Mr. Vaughan is a neo-Nazi.
Mr. Goldstein replied “Nowhere in our piece do we suggest that Mr. Vaughan is a neo-Nazi” and that “yes” he had approved the article by Csillag. I asked him if CJN would consider publishing a clarification or correction. He answered “: I am unclear what the clarification/correction would be…”
I then asked
“May I quote you as editor of CJN that you declare The SOO, the Soldiers of Odin as neo-Nazis?”
Mr. Goldstein replied:
“I also didn’t say SOO are neo-Nazis, so that would be an inaccurate quote. The section of the story you pointed to says, “Vaughan’s pro-Jewish leanings seem to reflect the growing phenomenon of white nationalists and neo-Nazis aligning with some Jews on the right.” Soldiers of Odin appears to fit the white nationalist bill. And they have, as The CJN has previously reported, worked with the Jewish Defence League.”
In response I sent Mr. Goldstein the original first question that stayed unanswered, asking him to identify the “neo-Nazis aligning with some Jews on the right.”
Goldstein replied:
“The question of clarifying the story is certainly worth consideration. I would like to better understand your point of view as part of the decision–making process. I am finding that very difficult to do by email.”
I repeated my question and attached a table with two columns “neo-Nazis” and “some Jews on the right” asking Mr. Goldstein to fill in the blank rows with the names of each individual and/or groups that fit each column.
Mr. Goldstein replied:
“We are taking the issue under consideration. Honestly, I have never heard of a journalist who preferred to correspond over email than an actual interview, but whatever.”
Mr. Goldstein refused to identify the “neo-Nazis aligning with some Jews on the right”.
I sent him another email:
“I am waiting for your response to two questions. Who are the neo-Nazis connected to the Jews and who are the Jews connected to the neo-Nazis? If I do not hear from you by noon tomorrow I will write that you refused to comment.”
My request went unanswered.
When asked just to identify the “neo-Nazis” and “Jews” the editor failed to provide any information to support his claims. He stated: “We are taking the issue under consideration”.
The failure to identify any individual and/or group of “neo-Nazis” and “Jews” and Mr. Goldstein’s statement may suggest that CJN has no strong evidence that can support its allegation about Jewish/neo-Nazi collaboration.
From the Ethics of the Fathers: “Rabbi Tarfon used to say, it is not incumbent upon you to complete the task, but you are not exempt from undertaking it.”
