B'nai Brith Canada has asked Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion to remove new star candidate Jocelyn Coulon from an upcoming byelection in Montreal's Outremont riding because of his past stance on Israel.

The Jewish organization says Coulon, a political scientist and former journalist, has a "well-documented anti-Israel bias," including sympathy for Hamas, that is "out of step with current Liberal policy," according to a statement released by the group.

Coulon, who was officially declared the Liberal candidate in Outremont last week, is vigorously defending his past articles, arguing he's a proponent of healthy debate, not of anti-Israel sentiment.

He has been a frequent commentator on international affairs, penning opinion pieces in various Montreal newspapers since he left journalism for an academic position at the Université de Montréal.

Coulon's analysis of Hamas's rise to power in the Palestinian Territories 18 months ago is what concerns B'Nai Brith Canada, said Moïse Moghrabi, a lawyer for the organization.

In one opinion piece, dated Feb. 22, 2006, Coulon writes that Hamas isn't just a terrorist organization, but a social and political movement that won the Palestinian elections because of its commitment to fight corruption and help people — and the international community should not isolate it.

That opinion reflects anti-Israel sentiment and violates Liberal policy in the Middle East, Moghrabi told CBC News.

Coulon should not represent the federal Liberals, Moghrabi said, because he "doesn't see [Hamas] as a terrorist organization with whom we should not be talking to, as established by the previous government."

The B'nai Brith lawyer said Coulon's nomination in Outremont — a Liberal stronghold — could mean he will eventually bring his opinions to the federal Liberal caucus, and possibly influence Grit foreign policy.

Coulon said he has no anti-Israel bias, but strongly believes in criticism and debate. "I am a true ally of Israel," he said on Monday. "Sometimes I'm very critical, that's for sure, but I think that makes good allies."

B'nai Brith hopes Coulon's documented position on Israel will disqualify him from the byelection.

The Liberal party defended Coulon, saying it is proud to have him as a candidate.

"He has consistently asserted Israel's right to defend itself," said Yves Lemire, who spoke on behalf of the party. "Mr. Coulon supports the Liberal party policy, which calls for a permament two-state solution in the Middle East."

Outremont is a multi-ethnic riding nestled along Mont Royal's northern slope, and is home to a significant Jewish population, including a large portion of Montreal's Hasidic community.

A byelection in the riding is expected this fall, though the federal Conservative government has not yet picked a date.

It is widely seen as a two-way race between the Liberals and the NDP, who recruited the popular Thomas Mulcair, a lawyer and former environment minister under Quebec Premier Jean Charest.