This week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy | October 13, 2024

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CIJA
|October 13, 2024
This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy

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)

Doorstep Postings: The repeat offences of Olivia Chow—audited on the eve of Yom Kippur (The Canadian Jewish News)

Federation CJA presenting anti-bullying webinar Oct. 8 (The Suburban)

Three anti-Israel protesters arrested after clash at Concordia (The Suburban)

Manifs: la seule communauté qui ressent cette escalade, c'est la communauté juive! dit le CIJA (QUB Radio)

McGill to increase security ahead of pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian events on Oct. 7 (The Montreal Gazette)

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)

44 ans de l’attentat antisémite de la rue Copernic à Paris: le terroriste condamné Hassan Diab doit être extradé (Le Journal de Montreal, + syndication QMI)

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)

Vancouver police warn of possible ‘disorder’ in downtown for Oct. 7 Hamas attack anniversary (Delta Optimist)

Winnipeg social media post claims Oct. 7 as ‘world awakening day’ (Winnipeg Sun)

Over the weekend: Protests against Israel offensive in Gaza, Lebanon ahead of Oct. 7 (The Montreal Gazette)

Sécurité renforcée dans les écoles et les universités à l’approche du 7 octobre (Le Devoir)

Jews, Palestinians and their allies working with Winnipeg police to keep Oct. 7 anniversary events peaceful (CBC News)

Anti-Israel protest leaves seniors feeling 'unsafe to be identified as a Jew on the streets of Ottawa' (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Extremist attack on Jewish community ‘realistic possibility,’ intelligence report says (Global News)

Toronto police vow to increase security ahead of protests celebrating Oct. 7 attack on Israel (True North)

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)

‘We are overwhelmed and heartbroken’ Community gathers to remember victims of Hamas-led attack in Israel (The Free Press)

Oct. 7 in Montreal: Prayer and protests as Jewish community, pro-Palestinian activists mark anniversary (The Montreal Gazette)

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)

Conservatives call on Liberal government to list Samidoun as terrorist entity (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

La hausse de l’antisémitisme inquiète la communauté juive (La Presse)

Un an depuis l’attaque du Hamas (ICI Radio-Canada)

Rattrapage du lundi 7 octobre 2024 – Le Cenrte consultatif des relations juives et israeliennes (Radio-Canada)

Rise in antisemitism worrying Montreal’s Jewish community a year after Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel (CityNews)

Jewish groups blast Jagmeet Singh’s Oct. 7 statement as “disheartening” and “disgraceful” (True North)

Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver communities gathered on this Oct. 7 to mourn and remember (The Canadian Jewish News)

Le 7 octobre 2023 remémoré et dénoncé à Montréal (Le Devoir)

Anger, sadness and solidarity as Montrealers mark first anniversary of Israel-Hamas war (Montreal Gazette)

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)

Jewish groups lament expiration of infamous anti-Israel activist's no-protest conditions (Western Standard)

Mayor Chow says ‘miscommunication’ led to her missing Oct. 7 Jewish memorial (CityNews)

Terry Glavin: Liberal failure to outlaw pro-terrorist group Samidoun is mind boggling (National Post)

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)

Jewish Vancouverites mourn under police watch as Samidoun director awaits charge decision (Vancouver Is Awesome)

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)

‘We’re demanding an apology,’ Mayor Olivia Chow under fire for not attending Oct. 7 vigil in Toronto (NOW Toronto)

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)

Winnipeg School Division apologizes to Jewish community over statement displayed during in-service (The Free Press)

OCTOBER 10: Questions for Olivia Chow and her claim that office staff somehow “misplaced” several emails regarding an October 7th event – Toronto Today – 10:40-16:05 (640 Toronto)

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)

Toronto mayor defends record on handling Israel-Hamas war fallout amid criticism over missing Oct. 7 vigil (CP24)

Winnipeg School Division leader apologizes for 'colonialism' slogan displayed during staff training event (Western Standard)

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)

Winnipeg School Division apologizes over message displayed during professional development day (CTV News Winnipeg)

Letters: All citizens must fight against hate (The Montreal Gazette)

Winnipeg School Division under fire for over message presented during professional development day (CTV News Winnipeg)

Politicians make their pitches (Jewish Independent)

 

 

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations across Canada

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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada. By clicking "Sign up," you consent to receive periodic updates from CIJA. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Le Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes (CIJA) est l'agence de représentation de Fédérations juives du Canada - UIA, représentant les fédérations juives à travers le Canada. En cliquant sur  «  Sign up , »  vous acceptez de recevoir des mises à jour périodiques de CIJA. Vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.
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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada.
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