Vancouver organized Jewish community reacts to expiration of Charlotte Kates’ conditions of release

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CIJA
|October 08, 2024
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Vancouver, B.C. – October 8, 2024 – Today, the conditions of Charlotte Kates’ release order prohibiting her participation or attendance at any protests, rallies, or assemblies expired because the Crown has yet to file charges against her in relation to her May 1 arrest.

This spring, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) announced that Kates, the international coordinator for Samidoun (Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network), was under investigation for making hateful comments at an April 26 rally where she referred to the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas as “heroic and brave” and led chants of “Long live October seventh.” A court appearance scheduled for today was pulled from the calendar as the Crown’s charge assessment process is ongoing. This delay allowed the release order to expire as it was tied to today's appearance.

Samidoun is a registered Canadian not-for-profit with ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, listed as a terrorist entity by the Canadian government. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has long called for Samidoun to also be banned and added to the list of terror entities under Canadian law.

QUOTES

Ezra Shanken, CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver:

“It is unacceptable that the conditions prohibiting Charlotte Kates from participating in protests have expired. In the year since the October 7 terrorist attacks, the Jewish community has experienced an escalation in antisemitic hate incidents, including at protests such as those organized by Kates. The expiration of her conditions of release will allow her to continue to incite hate and division against the local Jewish community. If we value respect, inclusion, and diversity, the Crown must approve and lay the charges recommended by VPD.”

Nico Slobinsky, Vice President – Pacific Region, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs:

“Last night, while the Jewish community commemorated the lives lost during the October 7 terrorist attacks, Demonstrators at a Samidoun organized protest at the Vancouver Art Gallery praised Hamas and Hezbollah, listed terror entities under Canadian law. We are worried the conditions of Kates’ release have expired, allowing her to resume organizing hateful demonstrations that glorify terrorism and, in some cases, led to Jewish community members being assaulted.

“We are disappointed with the Crown’s delay in laying the recommended charges. Justice delayed is justice denied, and it rewards the behaviour of those who wish to divide our communities.

“Kates has been instrumental in fomenting hateful demonstrations in Canada for years, and she will now be able to leverage these gatherings for the foreseeable future, posing a great risk to our community. We call on the Crown to approve the recommended charges without delay.”

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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.