Mohamed Elmasry, the embattled president of the Canadian Islamic Congress, apologized again yesterday for his controversial remarks but did not resign -- despite repeated calls to do so from other Muslim and Jewish organizations. Instead, the CIC issued a statement yesterday saying it accepted Mr. Elmasry's apology for saying that all Israelis over the age of 18 are fair targets for suicide bombers, but not his offer to resign, noting "one unintentional mistake does not wipe out his exemplary 30-year record." "It has always been a core belief of mine that killing civilians -- any civilians for any cause -- is an immoral act of the worst kind and I will never change in this conviction," Mr. Elmasry said in the media release. "Failing to articulate my beliefs clearly, completely, and forcefully on that occasion was the biggest mistake in my 30 years of public life."
While the CIC says it has been "overwhelmed" by calls of support from Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Arab communities, yesterday several organizations reiterated their belief that Mr. Elmasry has done lasting damage to the credibility of his organization, to the cause of Palestinians and of Muslims.
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