This week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy | October 13, 2024
This week, we joined thousands of Canadian Jews and our allies in commemorating those lost on October 7 and praying for the return of the hostages still held in Gaza, and we issued a pointed public criticism of Toronto’s mayor who did not find the time to attend a commemoration. We are also tracking the consequences of the protest ban on Samidoun’s Vancouver leader being lifted, and we renewed our calls for the PLFP-tied organization to be listed as a terrorist entity.
For more information, read on.
October 7 marked the one-year anniversary of the Hamas massacre, the worst attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Thousands of Canadians across the country attended commemorations honouring the 1,200 victims, including eight Canadians, standing in solidarity with the 101 hostages still held in Gaza, and praying for peace for the people of Israel. We are grateful to the elected officials at all levels of government, including the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, MPs in Ottawa, Manitoba, and many others who participated in commemorating the victims of October 7.
A notable absentee was Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who, despite being sent three emails about the event organized by CIJA and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, initially claimed that she had not been invited. Michelle Stock, CIJA VP, Ontario, issued a statement expressing the Jewish community’s grave disappointment, demanding a public apology, and requesting a meeting to discuss ways Mayor Chow can protect Toronto’s Jewish community from the unprecedented hate and antisemitism we are experiencing. Read it here.
Listen to Michelle’s conversation with Deb Hutton on NEWSTALK 1010 here and with Toronto Today’s Greg Brady here. (10:40-16:05)
Charlotte Kates, the international coordinator of Samidoun, a Canadian-registered not-for-profit operating from Vancouver with ties to the PLFP (a Canadian-listed terror entity), is a frequent organizer of pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah demonstrations in Canada that have included calls for violence against Canadian Jews. Kates was scheduled to appear in court on October 8 regarding charges stemming from an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department of her hateful comments at an April 26 rally, when she referred to the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas as “heroic and brave” and led chants of “Long live October seventh.” Since May, Kates has been prohibited from attending any protests, rallies, or assemblies.
CIJA staff were present at the Vancouver Criminal Court on October 8, where Kates was scheduled to make a court appearance; however, because the Crown has not yet approved the charges recommended by the VPD, Kates’ court appearance was canceled and the conditions of her release lifted. Kates is once again free to attend and organize more hateful demonstrations that glorify terrorism and continue to make hateful public comments. In response, CIJA and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver issued a statement. Read it here.
More than 9,000 Canadians have signed a House of Commons petition launched by MP Kevin Vuong that calls for the Government of Canada to designate Samidoun as a terrorist entity. If you haven’t already, add your name here.
Supported by CIJA's Legal Task Force, this week, Jewish members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) filed 27 individual complaints at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal against the union for discriminatory, antisemitic behaviour and creating an environment that is hostile to its Jewish members.
Filed symbolically on October 7, the complaints detail individual events and patterns of that have led to a culture where anti-Jewish and anti-Israel propaganda and antisemitism are advanced openly, Jewish union members are singled out and marginalized, and their concerns of discrimination are downplayed or ignored. These actions and others have left OPSEU’s Jewish members feeling abandoned. Read our press release here.
Eta Yudin, Vice President, Quebec, spoke to reporters about the urgent need for all Canadians to join in the fight against antisemitism. Read about it in The Montreal Gazette here.
Take Action
Call upon the Government of Canada to list Samidoun as a terrorist entity
It’s time to make terrorist symbols illegal!
Community Calendar
October 14 | Thanksgiving
October 16-23 | Sukkot (Starts at sunset)
October 23-25 | Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah (Starts at sunset)
Community Careers
CIJA | Associate Director, Government Relations (Ontario)
London Jewish Federation | Executive Director
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Communications and Social Media Officer
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Database Associate
Jewish Federation of Edmonton | Associate Director of Development
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver | Manager, Jewish Community Foundation
CIJA in the News
Jewish Canadian parliamentarian defends Trudeau, targets Samidoun (Jewish News Syndicate)
Federation CJA presenting anti-bullying webinar Oct. 8 (The Suburban)
Three anti-Israel protesters arrested after clash at Concordia (The Suburban)
Vancouver police arrest pro-Hamas, Hezbollah protestor over attack on Jewish woman (True North)
L’Université McGill va restreindre l’accès à son campus le 7 octobre (CBC Radio Canada)
Tensions entre Israël et l'Iran: quels pourraient être les impacts au Québec? (Noovo Info)
C'est comme ça que je t'aime (ICI Radio-Canada Montreal)
Grave Escalation in Israel-Iran Conflict (CBC Radio One 99.1)
Windsor mosque honours slain Hezbollah leader, sparking online outrage (Windsor Star)
Crimes haineux à Montréal: «C’est scandaleux, c’est dégueulasse» (TVA Nouvelles)
Increased Security for High Holidays and October 7 – October 3, 2024 (Radio Canada)
Winnipeg social media post claims Oct. 7 as ‘world awakening day’ (Winnipeg Sun)
Sécurité renforcée dans les écoles et les universités à l’approche du 7 octobre (Le Devoir)
Extremist attack on Jewish community ‘realistic possibility,’ intelligence report says (Global News)
Shadows of hate: The alarming rise of antisemitism in Canada (The Jerusalem Post)
Rising Hate Crime Rates (Radio Canada)
Montrealers gather, reflect on Israel-Hamas war 1-year anniversary (CBC)
Manitoba Jewish leaders criticize ‘misleading’ rally (The Free Press)
First Anniversary of Hamas Attack on Israel – October 7, 2024 (CPAC)
Vancouver Palestinian community reacts to Gaza war anniversary (CTV News Vancouver)
La région de la capitale fédérale se souvient du 7 octobre 2023 (Le Soleil, + QMI syndication)
Le Téléjournal avec Patrice Roy (ICI Radio-Canada Montreal)
Commemorating October 7 (ICI Radio-Canada)
«Il y avait beaucoup d'émotions, mais aussi de l'espoir» (98.5 Montreal)
The Importance of Commemorating October 7 (98.5 FM CHMP)
Increased Security Around Jewish Institutions (ICI Radio-Canada Premiere CBOF)
Le 7 Octobre, un an plus tard (ICI Radio-Canada)
The anniversary of the October 7th massacre (The Jas Johal Show)
Reflecting on October 7th (CKGA VOCM 650)
La hausse de l’antisémitisme inquiète la communauté juive (La Presse)
Un an depuis l’attaque du Hamas (ICI Radio-Canada)
Le 7 octobre 2023 remémoré et dénoncé à Montréal (Le Devoir)
Rise in antisemitism worrying Montreal’s Jewish community a year after Oct. 7 attack (CityNews)
CIJA calls to stand against antisemitism in Quebec (Global News)
Jewish community calls on government to denounce antisemitic hate crimes (Newstalk 800 CJAD)
Mayor Chow’s absence from Oct 7 commemoration event (Talk Radio AM640 CFMJ)
More can be done to fight antisemitism in Montreal, Jewish community says (The Gazette)
Injunction granted to prevent anti-Israel intimidation at Concordia (The Suburban)
'We're finished being victims!' (The Suburban)
'I should have been there': Toronto mayor says she regrets not being at Oct. 7 vigil (CTV News)
Chow responds to criticism (CTV News)
Mayor Chow under fire for not attending Oct. 7 vigil (CP24)
Mayor Chow says ‘miscommunication’ led to her missing Oct. 7 Jewish memorial (CityNews)
WARMINGTON: Chow under fire for missing Oct. 7 vigil, claims she didn't get invitation (Toronto Sun)
WARMINGTON: Jewish groups and police union demand apologies from Chow (Toronto Sun)
It is time for Amira Elghawaby to step down (The Hill Times)
Mayor Chow faces criticism for missing Oct. 7 memorial event (City News 680)
Mayor apologizes for missing Oct. 7 commemoration ceremony (CBC Toronto News)
WARMINGTON: Chow may have said 'sorry;' Jewish community not buying it (Toronto Sun)
A fraught renewal for Jewish Canadians this Rosh Hashanah (Canadian Affairs)
Where is the Mayor lately? (Deb Hutton Show)
Mayor Olivia Chow to apologize for not attending Oct. 7 vigil — blames missing email (Toronto Star)
Chow forced to explain Oct. 7 absence (Global Toronto)
Crimes haineux à Montréal depuis le 7 Octobre 2023 (TVA Nouvelles)
Reaction to Mayor Chow’s absence at Oct. 7 event – Alex Pierson Show (640 Toronto)
Mayor issues apology after missing Oct. 7 memorial and vigil (CityNews Toronto)
CIJA reacts to Mayor Chow missing Oct. 7 memorial event (Zoomer Radio CFZM)
Jewish unionists file human rights complaint against OPSEU (Toronto Sun)
Letters: All citizens must fight against hate (The Montreal Gazette)
Politicians make their pitches (Jewish Independent)
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