Koch distances herself from Muslim tweets

Saskatchewan Party leadership hopeful Alanna Koch says she is “disappointed” with social media posts about Islam and Muslims made by former party leader Elwin Hermanson, but has not explicitly disavowed the former MLA from Rosetown–Biggar’s endorsement.

“It is unfortunate that Elwin chose to re-tweet and tweet the comments he did regarding Islam and Muslims. I have been in touch with Elwin and told him I’m disappointed in the concerns his Twitter commentary has raised,” Koch said in a statement.

“I do not support, nor will I tolerate, racist or discriminatory behaviour.”

Koch, who is thought to be one of the front-runners to replace Brad Wall, was responding to an Oct. 1 tweet in which Hermanson said: “In 10-30 years Islam will be the dominant religion in every Euro nation. Muslims will be the largest people group if current trends persist.”

The tweet also included a link to an InfoWars article reprinted on an obscure conservative website carrying the headline: “Norwegian Army Chief: Europe Needs To Destroy Islam If They Are Going To Survive.” The fact-checking website Snopes has debunked Hermanson’s claim as “mostly false.”

“We should not be afraid of Islam. We have more in common than what differentiates us,” Koch said in the statement. “As a society we must embrace all of humanity. I believe in Saskatchewan’s motto, from many people’s strength. We are stronger together — regardless of race, religion, background or political leanings.”

Hermanson responded in a series of tweets on Monday.

“Some have misconstrued a retweet I made as condoning violence against Muslims. Nothing is more wrong. I retweeted to express my concern,” he said in one post, adding in another: “Growing violence in Europe is generated by radical elements of Islam and antiIslam groups. I strongly support freedom of religion.”

This is not the first time Hermanson, who led the Sask. Party from 1998 to 2004, has been involved in a controversy over cultural depictions. During the 2003 campaign, he became emotional while speaking with reporters about an internal NDP cartoon depicting him as a Nazi rounding up Jewish people. He said at the time that he was shocked, and the NDP subsequently apologized.