Ex-premier still blames Jews for Quebec autonomy setback

MONTREAL, Dec. 7 (JTA) — The former premier of Quebec has done it again. Addressing students at the University of Alberta recently, Jacques Parizeau reiterated his belief that Jewish voters and other minorities caused the October 1995 defeat of a referendum calling for Quebec independence. “The Jewish Congress of Canada, the Greek Congress of Canada and the Italian Congress make a very good fight against sovereignty,” said Parizeau, who has been touring Canada to promote Quebec’s independence. Parizeau’s remarks come as Quebec prepares for elections next year. Another referendum on sovereignty is expected to be held soon afterward. While Parizeau is now a private citizen, he remains popular among hard-line separatist supporters of the governing Parti Quebecois. Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard refused to condemn his predecessor’s remarks. Bouchard defended Parizeau as “an eminent citizen of our people.” The Parti Quebecois blocked a motion sponsored by the opposition Liberal Party to formally criticize Parizeau. Jewish leaders reacted angrily to the ex-premier’s remarks. “Our goal has always been to promote, in a thoughtful and moderate manner, the interests of Quebecers and all Canadians by speaking to the entire population,” said Reisa Teitelbaum, Quebec chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress. “It is obvious that this is not an objective shared by Mr. Parizeau.”