Violent Assault Undermines Spirit of Multicultural Festival

Saint John, NB – August 15, 2025 – A volunteer at the Israeli community booth at the 7th International Culturefest was assaulted on August 2 as a pro-Palestinian rally moved through the festival grounds. Eyewitnesses say demonstrators threatened volunteers, defaced books and the Israeli flag with red ink, and poured red ink on community members at the booth. During the assault, a female volunteer at the booth was punched in the face and sustained a mild concussion, as well as damages to her glasses.  

“What happened at the Culturefest is deeply distressing,” said Esti Barlevy, a representative of the NB Israeli Community Inc., which organized the booth. “No Canadian should be targeted or harmed for peacefully sharing their cultural identity. Violence and intimidation have no place in a multicultural space meant to celebrate inclusion and respect — values at the heart of this festival, the spirit of Saint John, and the promise of Canada that brought us here.” 

Organizers of the Israeli booth say they warned both police and the Newcomers Centre – the festival organizers, with whom the community has a longstanding relationship – about a planned protest, citing public safety concerns based on past incidents. Despite this, police allegedly left the area earlier in the day, returning only after the assault, arresting two individuals, including a minor.  

“The Culturefest is meant to celebrate the richness of all cultures — and that includes the right of every community to share its heritage in safety,” said the Atlantic Jewish Council. “When violence replaces dialogue, it threatens the fabric of what multiculturalism in Canada is meant to represent. The federal government has committed $61,000 to this year’s and next year’s festivals. That investment must come with accountability. We are calling on all levels of government to reassess support for events that fail to ensure the safety and equal participation of all communities.” 

The community is also calling for a formal acknowledgement about the incident by the Newcomers Centre.  

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