Martin Rosenthal

[Jason Kenney 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱 @jkenney]

Honest question, Minister @EvanLSolomon: why does an intelligent, good guy like you, with a background in communications, repeat the absurd cliché that “antisemitism has no place… anywhere in Canada?”

The opposite is obviously true.

By every metric, antisemitism has a large and growing place in Canada.

So can we please just drop that ridiculous bromide and start to confront the painful reality that we, as a society, have allowed history’s oldest and most pernicious hatred to metastasize in Canada?

Of course this is not reducible to a partisan question, but surely some responsibility for the sickening growth in antisemitism falls to the national government that has been in office for over a decade.

The government that, as a matter of policy, dropped the Harper government’s formal acknowledgement of the the uniquely pernicious and durable nature of antisemitism?

The government that has funded vile antisemites through parodic “anti racism” programs.

The government that rewarded the perpetrators of the deadliest pogrom of Jews since the Shoah with recognition of a non existant Palestinian “state.”

The government that restored and increased funding to one of the greatest sources of violent antisemitism: UNWRA, which poisons the minds of Palestinian children with Jew hatred.

A government that has done nothing to address the problem of rampant antisemitism in many of Canada’s universities, where scapegoating Israel as the “collective Jew” (to quote Irwin Cotler) has become commonplace.

And a government whose naive approach to multiculturalism, immigration, and integration is willfully blind to the sad but undeniable reality that antisemitism is deeply embedded in certain cultures.

To all of those in office: enough with the cliches every time there is a new outrage targeting the Jewish community.

Real leadership is required, which means risking and spending political capital.

[Le CIJA @CIJAQC]

Déclaration de notre vice-présidente principale, Québec, Eta Yudin:

« Encore une fois, une minorité haineuse donnent une mauvaise image de notre ville.

Les rapports de personnes scandant "morts a Israël" ne sont ni de l'expression politique ni une manière d'encourager le @cfmontreal, ce sont des incitations a la haine. Aucun joueur ne devrait avoir à subir ce genre de chants a cause de sa religion, appartenance ethnique ou nationalité.

Tout les montréalais et fans de soccer méritent mieux. »

[CIJA @CIJAinfo]

Statement by our Senior Vice President, Quebec, Eta Yudin:

"Once again, a a small group of extremists is giving our city a bad name.

Reports of individuals chanting 'death to Israel' are neither political expression nor a way to support @cfmontreal; they are incitement to hatred. No player should have to endure this kind of chanting because of their religion, ethnicity, or nationality.

All Montrealers and soccer fans deserve better."

[CIJA @CIJAinfo]

We welcome the Leader of the Official Opposition's call to list Kata'ib Hizballah as a terrorist entity.

In May, we urged the Government of Canada to take this step and strengthen measures to ensure terrorist organizations and their proxies cannot operate in Canada.

The warning signs are clear.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw has identified a "similar modus operandi" of criminals-for-hire targeting the Jewish community and diplomatic sites. Secretary of State Ruby Sahota has acknowledged that a foreign entity is behind attacks on Toronto synagogues. And Canada's Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre has warned there is a “realistic possibility” that Iran’s Islamic regime is directing local criminal elements to target Canada's Jewish community.

It’s time to get tough on politically motivated violence and terror.

[Harley Finkelstein @harleyf]

I keep saying, “this one went too far.” At this point it would almost be funny if it weren’t so damn horrifying.

This week, two Jewish owned bakeries (Kiva’s) in Toronto were targeted. Now Noam, where my parents and sister go every week for kosher food, has been destroyed by a fire.

88% of Jewish Canadians feel less safe than five years ago. One in four has considered leaving or made plans to.

These are not random incidents. This is the reality I wrote about months ago.

This is not anxiety. This is evidence.

[Aviva Klompas @AvivaKlompas]

For three years, I've watched people casually accept accusations that would have once been recognized as outrageous - that terrorism can somehow be justified as "resistance" or that Jewish self-determination is inherently racist.

I've watched people repeat slogans they haven't examined, excuse conduct they would condemn in any other context, and go along with ideas they know are wrong because challenging the consensus carries a social cost.

There are remarkably few people prepared to risk criticism and ostracism to defend what they know to be true. @BoyGeorge deserves enormous credit for reminding us what it means to be a person of integrity.

[Boy George @BoyGeorge]

In Buddhism we understand that every action comes with a consequence. Due to my decision to stand up for my Jewish friends I am losing a few people from my life. Today I parted company with Tony Pontius who has run my record label BGP for a number of years. I wanted to release 'We Will Dance Again' but he was unequivocal and said 'I want nothing to do with this song' and I responded 'ok, we are done'.
When someone is gutless it really does not hurt to say goodbye. My faith in humanity will not diminish and the truth will always win.

I will release it!

[Boy George @BoyGeorge]

#Shalom

[Melissa Lantsman @MelissaLantsman]

When a Jewish-owned business gets hit twice, it’s not coincidence, it’s a targeted campaign of intimidation on one community. Synagogues, schools, and Jewish businesses come under attack again and again.

This country needs to wake up to the hatred metastasizing in its streets.

Canada’s Jewish community isn’t asking for sympathy, they’re demanding action. Find the people responsible, arrest them, and prosecute them. Toothless bills, thoughts and prayers and more statements don’t quell a community’s anxiety, they just insult it. Task forces don’t act. No more councils that don’t speak up.

Just do the results part. Enforce the law.

[Warren Kinsella @kinsellawarren]

The last global surge in antisemitism, eight decades ago, was only defeated when we fully declared war on it.

We need to declare war on it now, too. Defeat and destroy it by any means necessary.

[Le CIJA @CIJAQC]

Nous avons tous la responsabilité de traiter avec rigueur des sujets ayant un impact direct sur la cohésion sociale montréalaise.

Nous souhaitons donc souligner les modifications faites par la direction de l'information de La Presse à l'article du weekend dernier qui traitait, entre autres, d'une activiste aux propos radicaux.

- Le rôle du groupe terroriste Hamas dans le déclenchement de la guerre le 7 octobre 2023 a été clairement rétabli - alors que le texte d'origine ne mentionnait aucunement le Hamas.
- Une note a été ajoutée au texte pour exposer le véritable profil de Mme Alkhdour, soulignant ses propos haineux virulants sur les réseaux sociaux et ses accusations passées de harcèlement criminel.

Ces correctifs contribuent à offrir aux lecteurs un portait plus complet et mieux contractualisé.

[David Frum @davidfrum]

King Nebuchadnezzar and the Emperor Titus join the Democratic Socialists of America in wishing a meaningful Tisha b'Av to all observing the holy day.

[Martin Rosenthal @RosenthalMartin]

@NYCMayor

[CIJA @CIJAinfo]

Over the weekend, @LP_LaPresse published an article that raises serious concerns regarding journalistic standards.

It erroneously states that Israel began its operation on October 7. However, on that day, it was Hamas that started the war by massacring, raping, and kidnapping hundreds of civilians -- including many Canadians such as Montreal's Alexandre Look who was killed by the terrorist group on that fateful day.

The article also favourably portrays Samar Alkhdour, an activist with radical views known for contradicting French President Macron when he called Hamas a terrorist group, which she disputed by saying it is a "resistance group."

Samar is also known for her participation in extremist protests where vandalism, graffiti, and broken windows have been reported.

This is the same person who, on social media, repeats 'Fuck white people' and mocks traditions such as Halloween. This essential context is missing from La Presse's reporting.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time La Presse has given this woman a platform she does not deserve. Rima Elkhoury wrote about her more than once in 2024, even though her stances were already public.

Our Quebec team has contacted La Presse regarding this concerning situation. The media has a responsibility to inform with rigour and high journalistic standards that Canadian expect.

[CIJA @CIJAinfo]

When defending Canada's foreign policy to re-engage with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia—despite their troubling human rights records, including the imprisonment of LGBTQ+ people, political opponents, and pro-democracy advocates—Prime Minister Carney said that "lecturing countries from afar is an ineffective strategy."

Less than two weeks later, Global Affairs Canada is publicly lecturing Israel about its detention of individuals responsible for acts of terror, including Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya who has been documented to be a colonel in Hamas—a banned terrorist entity in Canada—and who helped transform Kamal Adwan Hospital into a Hamas headquarters.

Canadians are left to ask: Did Foreign Minister Anand miss the Prime Minister's speech, or is this another example of a double standard when it comes to Israel?

[Le CIJA @CIJAQC]

Lorsqu'il a défendu la politique étrangère du Canada visant à renouer avec la Turquie et l'Arabie saoudite — malgré leur bilan troublant en matière de droits de la personne, incluant l'emprisonnement de personnes LGBTQ+, d'opposants politiques et de défenseurs de la démocratie —, le premier ministre Carney a affirmé que « faire la leçon à des pays de loin est une stratégie inefficace ».

Moins de deux semaines plus tard, Affaires mondiales Canada fait publiquement la leçon à Israël concernant la détention d'individus responsables d'actes de terrorisme, notamment le Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, dont il a été démontré qu'il est colonel au sein du Hamas — une entité terroriste interdite au Canada — et qu'il a aidé à transformer l'hôpital Kamal Adwan en quartier général du Hamas.

Les Canadiens se posent la question : la ministre des Affaires étrangères Anand a-t-elle manqué le discours du premier ministre, ou s'agit-il d'un nouvel exemple de deux poids, deux mesures lorsqu'il s'agit d'Israël ?

#polcan

[Le CIJA @CIJAQC]

En fin de semaine, @LP_LaPresse a publié un article qui soulève de sérieuses préoccupations sur le plan de la rigueur journalistique.

Il y est notamment écrit que l’offensive israélienne aurait débuté le 7 octobre. Or, le 7 octobre 2023, c’est le Hamas qui a déclenché la guerre en massacrant, violant et enlevant des centaines de civils. Un Montréalais, Alexandre Look, a d'ailleurs été tué par le groupe terroriste lors de cette funeste journée.

L’article présente également sous un jour favorable Samar Alkhdour, une activiste aux propos radicaux connue pour avoir contredit le Président français Macron qui qualifiait le Hamas de groupe terroriste, ce qu'elle a contesté en disant que c'est un "groupe de résistance".

Elle est aussi connue pour sa participation à des manifestations où du vandalisme, des graffitis et des fenêtres cassées auraient été rapportés.

C'est cette même personne qui, sur les réseaux sociaux, répète 'Fuck white people' et se moque de traditions bénignes telles que la fête de Halloween. Ce contexte essentiel est absent du reportage de La Presse.

Ce n’est malheureusement pas la première fois que La Presse accorde à cette femme une tribune qu'elle ne mérite pas. Rima Elkhoury a traité d'elle plus d'une fois en 2024 alors que ses prises de position étaient déjà publiques.

Nous avons contacté La Presse à propos de cette situation préoccupante. Les médias ont la responsabilité d’informer avec rigueur. Les lecteurs méritent mieux.

#polqc #polcan #polmtl #assnat

[CIJA @CIJAinfo]

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said Canadian foreign policy should be rooted in influence, dialogue and partnership, "not lecturing countries from afar."

He made that point while discussing Canada's re-engagement with Turkey and Saudi Arabia on a variety of strategic issues, including advancing a two-state solution.

Will the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @AnitaAnandMP apply these same principles to Israel—a democratic country and close partner of Canada for nearly 80 years?

If not, the Canadian government is demonstrating a troubling double standard.

[CIJA @CIJAinfo]

On the very day the Government of Canada appointed two new members to its Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion—which Prime Minister Carney tasked with leading a whole-of-government effort to combat antisemitism—one of the federal government's own taxpayer-funded museums is launching a controversial "Nakba" exhibit that risks exacerbating Canada's antisemitism crisis.

As the Council works to align federal policies to better protect Jewish Canadians, the government must also prevent its own institutions from being weaponized to promote divisive political narratives that fuel hatred and violence.

This should start immediately with the Heritage Minister demanding accountability from the @CMHR_News' CEO and board. How can the museum's leadership be allowed to continue when they egregiously failed to uphold integrity, impartiality, and public confidence?

[CIJA @CIJAinfo]

Last night, Montreal City Council was once again the scene of unacceptable attempts at intimidation. Radical activists sought to attack our democracy and impose their ideology to force the hand of the elected officials who had removed Projet Montréal's incendiary motion from the agenda.

The chaos caused by these activists culminated in the shameful mocking of a citizen and arrogant laughter when the Council was questioned about the presence of flags of Hamas and Hezbollah — terrorist organizations recognized by Canada — on our streets.

What more is needed to demonstrate the extremist and anti-democratic character of these groups and individuals?

Yesterday’s events should prompt Projet Montréal and its interim leader to do some deep soul-searching. Their approach to this issue has contributed to legitimizing a climate of tension and division that is incompatible with the values of respect and democracy of our city. This strategy seems to have been carried out at the expense of Montrealers, especially members of the Jewish community, who are impacted the most.