CANADA’S FOREIGN MINISTER URGES UN TO REVIEW APPOINTMENT OF ANTI-ISRAEL LAW PROFESSOR:

Canada’s foreign affairs minister has called on the United Nations to review its appointment of a Canadian law professor with a history of anti-Israel bias to a key Middle East post. Stephane Dion is questioning the naming of Michael Lynk of Western University in Ontario as the UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur on human rights in Palestine. On 25 March 2016, the day after the council tapped Lynk, Dion said: "We call onUNHRC President to review this appointment & ensure Special Rapporteur has track record that can advance peace in region.” Canada’s opposition party also called for Lynk to be disqualified from the position based on his past statements on Israel. Lynk "was not put forward by Canada and does not represent the views of this government,” Dion’s office said. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said Lynk "has been significantly involved in anti-Israel advocacy in Canada,” including signing anti-Israel petitions, accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing and serving as a leader of a group that promotes Israeli Apartheid Week. The Geneva-based group UN Watch said the council’s choice of Lynk was "a travesty of justice.” (JTA)