The SAQ is supported by the “racist and pro-genocide fachosphere,” says Haroun Bouazzi

Photo: Francis Vachon Le Devoir Haroun Bouazzi has filed numerous petitions in the Assembly calling for an end to the sale of Israeli wines produced in occupied territory, namely the West Bank, the other territory administered by the Palestinian Authority along with Gaza.

Patrice Bergeron – The Canadian Press in Quebec City

Published and updated on September 27

• Quebec City

Québec solidaire (QS) accuses the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) of being supported by the “racist and pro-genocide fachosphere” on the issue of the Palestinian conflict.

It was the Solidaire MP for Maurice-Richard, Haroun Bouazzi, who launched these attacks through the social network X.

In a written response, the SAQ indicated that it does not take “a position on political issues.”

Mr. Bouazzi has filed numerous petitions in the Assembly calling for an end to the sale of Israeli wines produced in occupied territory, that is, the West Bank, the other territory administered by the Palestinian Authority along with Gaza.

This week, following the study of the petitions in the parliamentary committee, Haroun Bouazzi held a press scrum that he relayed, again on his X account, and it generated some rather vitriolic comments.

“SAQ, I invite you to see in the comments how much the racist and pro-genocide fachosphere supports you, our state-owned company deserves better,” he wrote.

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“I can't believe you're a member of parliament in Quebec,” one can read among the reactions.

“Your remuneration comes from my taxes. You act like a member of parliament from Gaza, it's deplorable, you're a disgrace as a member of parliament. Deport (sic) you spend more time defending the Islamists,” the person continued.

“Your ethnocultural solidarity proves that the multiculturalist model is a failure,” wrote another.

“You use the National Assembly to defend your people. “You are paid by Quebecers. In addition to being shameful, it is unworthy,” wrote another, asking for his resignation.

Some have posted photos of the controversial wines found on the SAQ app that are produced in Samaria, which is the name Israel gives to the West Bank.

Other comments simply cannot be reported here.

The SAQ is not taking a position, it assures

The Canadian Press requested an interview with the SAQ, which responded instead with an email.

“While the SAQ is sensitive to the situation, as a Crown corporation, we do not express an opinion or take a position on political issues,” it writes. The SAQ has a commercial mission entrusted to it by the Quebec government.”

Spokesperson Laurianne Tardif adds, however, that if an embargo were decreed on certain products, the SAQ would comply.

On the issue of the sale of wines produced in the occupied territories but labelled as being made in Israel, the SAQ points out that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has undertaken consultations “with the aim of arriving at a declaration of origin that would be acceptable in similar cases.”

A source close to the matter suggested that this is a “really more complicated” matter than the ban on the sale of Russian vodka following the invasion of Ukraine.

The SAQ is “awaiting” the CFIA’s decision and specifies that it is in contact with the office of the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, who is responsible for the SAQ.

In his press scrum, MP Bouazzi stated that in less than a year, 650 people have been killed in the West Bank, including more than 140 children, by Israeli settlers or the army, in more than 1,200 attacks.

The Israeli government has seized more than 1,200 hectares for new colonies, he added.

“International law is clear, colonies are illegal, they are a war crime, because they constitute a displacement of population, the SAQ must stop selling wine made in the occupied Palestinian territory, but labeled ‘made in Israel’,” he pleaded.