Jewish leaders are slamming a final exam question in Canada that explores students' response to the suffering of children in conflicts, and particularly those in Gaza.
The question, which appears on a province-wide exam in Manitoba, asks the students to “Explain whether or not you think people in the entertainment industry have a responsibility for making the world a better place.”
It follows an article written by popular Canadian vocalist Chantal Kreviazuk in which she lamented the suffering of children in armed conflicts. Among the cases she cited were children killed and maimed by an artillery shell in Gaza during Israel's three-week counterterrorism war against Hamas in the winter of 2008-2009.
The issue, reported by the Winnipeg Free Press, was raised by B'nai Brith Canada, which alleged that the question would be likely to promote anti-Israel feelings. The organization is demanding that the Canadian Department of Education check every student's paper to see how many respond with anti-Israel answers.
According to B'nai Brith's Midwest region director Alan Yusim, most students would logically conclude from the question that Israel victimizes children. “I don't see which other conclusion you could reach,” he told the newspaper, adding that most students do not have enough worldly knowledge to understand the events that led to the war.
He was joined in his concern by Manitoba Education Minister Nancy Allan, who vowed to “make sure this doesn't happen again. We're taking this very seriously.” Allan has ordered department officials to find out how the question got on to the exam in the first place.