Latest news with #antisemitism
National Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
New laws against blocking access to places of worship, schools coming, Fraser says
OTTAWA — Justice Minister Sean Fraser says the Liberal government will press ahead with plans for new criminal provisions against blocking access to places or worship, schools and community centres. Article content The measures, promised during the recent federal election campaign, would also create a criminal offence of wilfully intimidating or threatening people attending events at these venues. Article content Article content Article content The minister's statement comes as civil libertarians point to existing provisions intended to curb such behaviour and push back against the idea of new measures that could infringe on freedom of expression and assembly. Article content Article content Tensions have risen in Canadian communities over public protests, many prompted by the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. Article content Several Canadian municipalities have taken steps recently to mandate 'bubble zones' that restrict protest activity near such places as religious institutions, schools and child care centres. Article content 'It's not lost on me that there will be different levels of government that try to address this challenge in different ways,' Fraser said, adding that the federal government has an opportunity _ where behaviour crosses a criminal threshold — to legislate in that space. Article content 'We clearly have seen challenges when it comes to certain religious communities in Canada who are facing extraordinary discrimination — antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate,' Fraser said in a recent interview. Article content Article content 'People need to know that in Canada they are free to pray to the God of their choice and to, at the same time, freely express themselves, but not to the point where you threaten the protected Charter rights of a religious minority.' Article content James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, said he questions the need for new provisions and suggests politicians are proposing penalties simply to appear to be doing something. Article content He said existing laws against mischief, nuisance and interfering with religious celebrations can be used to deal with the kinds of behaviour the federal government wants to address. Article content 'I haven't heard a single thing that isn't already illegal, so it's a waste of time. It adds confusion to the Criminal Code and it suggests that they're only engaged in performative activity,' Turk said. Article content 'They want to be seen to be doing something about this pressure they're under.' Article content Anais Bussieres McNicoll, director of the fundamental freedoms program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, also said she wonders about the scope of the proposed new federal provisions 'and if they are necessary or simply duplicative of existing criminal offences.'
National Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
Raymond J. de Souza: Christian and Jewish leaders unite to combat the scourge of antisemitism
An important summit of some 100 faith leaders — roughly 50 Jewish rabbis and 50 Christian pastors — was held in Toronto this week to combat rising antisemitism in Canada. The focus was more theological than strategic or political, with an opening address by the peerless professor Rabbi David Novak, Toronto's gift to all who sincerely desire to speak to God and about God. Novak spoke of Jacques Maritain, the French philosopher who served as France's post-war ambassador to the Holy See. It was that kind of gathering, where wise men shared the wisdom of the ages — a tonic for today's toxic twittering and taunting. Article content Article content The summit was a summons to Christian congregations to stand against antisemitism, not only in solidarity with Jews, but primarily because of their own religious beliefs. Article content Article content Two such beliefs are foundational, one general and one particular. Generally, Jews and Christians believe in universal human dignity, that everyone is created in the image of God. In particular, Jews believe that God chooses, and that they are a chosen people for the sake of all nations. Christians believe that from this comes, in Jesus Christ, a Jew, the universal gift of salvation for all peoples. Article content For both reasons, Christians ought to be concerned about antisemitism, a rising scourge in Canada. Last year, columnist Terry Glavin documented the ' explosion of Jew hate ' that we have seen in our streets of late, with vile speech, vandalism and violence visited upon Jews, their synagogues, schools and shops. Article content 'This is not Paris,' said Rick Eckstein, the driving force behind what is called the ' Simeon Initiative, ' in his introductory remarks. Eckstein is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who is deeply convinced that one righteous person can make a difference. He recounted how his own mother was saved from the Holocaust by three righteous Poles, including a Catholic priest. His very existence is the fruit of those Catholics standing with courage for Jews. Article content The Paris comment struck me. Rising levels of antisemitism, including terrorism, have meant that 'normal' Jewish life in France now proceeds under multiple layers of security — private, police and military. France's Jews have their own organized ' protection service,' which serves to co-ordinate the need for security. To be a Jew in France is to live under perpetual threat. Article content Article content Is Toronto headed in the same direction? Private security is now 'normal' at Jewish community centres, schools and daycare centres. Synagogues spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on security — costs that would sink many Christian parishes. Jewish neighbourhoods are regularly targeted by demonstrations supportive of Hamas and its explicitly genocidal goal of driving Jews into the sea. Article content The Simeon Initiative is named after the biblical figure who greets the infant Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem, thus serving as a bridge between Jews and Christians. It is a joint venture of my colleagues at Cardus, Canada's leading Christian think-tank, and my former colleagues at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Canada's leading Jewish advocacy group. It is a pleasure to see Christian and Jewish colleagues in common cause; would that the cause be a happier one.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man charged over vandalism of National Holocaust Monument
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has charged a man for the vandalism earlier this month of the National Holocaust Monument. On Friday afternoon, the police service announced a 46-year-old man has been accused of mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. Police did not name the man. The charges stem from an incident on June 9 when the concrete memorial on the Kichi Zibi Mikan near Lebreton Flats was found splashed with red paint, including the words "feed me" painted in capital letters. The slogan appeared to be a reference to Gaza, which the United Nations had recently described as the "hungriest place on Earth." Iddo Moed, Israel's ambassador to Canada, decried the vandalism as antisemitic. The accused man is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday.
National Post
15 hours ago
- National Post
Man, 46, charged with vandalism of National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa
OTTAWA — A 46-year-old man has been charged after Canada's National Holocaust Monument was vandalized earlier this month. Article content The Ottawa Police Service said in a news release Friday that the man was charged with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. Article content The man is scheduled to appear in court Saturday. Article content On June 9, the words 'FEED ME' were found scrawled in red paint across the face of the monument, with red paint also splashed on other portions of the structure. Article content Article content Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was 'appalled' by the vandalism and that the monument is a space for mourning and remembrance. Article content Article content The Ottawa Police Service says the investigation by its hate and bias crime unit continues. Article content Richard Marceau, vice-president of external affairs and general counsel at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said the monument is an important national symbol, especially at this time of 'heightened antisemitism.' Article content 'It was especially vile to see it vandalized and defaced,' Marceau said, adding that he's grateful police reacted quickly. 'That is why it's so important and it's critical for authorities and law enforcement to stamp down on this hatred and incitement, hard and fast.' Article content
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Cannabis-addicted Hamas supporter is jailed for saying Jews should be burnt less than a month after October 7 attacks that killed more than 1,000 Israelis
A Hamas supporter with a £600 a week cannabis habit has been jailed for nearly six years after he called for Jews to be 'burnt alive'. Zakir Hussain, 29, took to social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, to write a spate of anti-semitic posts over the three-month period. The posts followed the rise in tensions between Israel and Palestine which has seen significant protesting in London. Hussain first posted on X on 3 November 2023, less than a month after the 7 October attack by Hamas which saw over 1,000 Israelis killed. He said: 'Hezbullah come quick finish them like rodents.' Later that month Hussain said '7 October was a beautiful day, Jews stop hiding.' On 25 December 2023, he wrote: 'October 7 was a beautiful day', 'In the UK, we are hunting them for fun' and 'Go on Hamas, finish them and maybe we can find the beheaded urine babies.' The posting continued into January 2024, where Hussain said on 5 January: 'I'm in London, any Jew out there come out and stand up for your religion.' Four days later he posted: 'Wish it was more in that festival slaughter them IDK terrorists, burn them alive' in reference to the 7 October attack. 'He also wrote 'Long live Hamas, Hezbollah' and 'Hamas, Houthi, Hezbollah finish these little rats.' His final post came on 10 January when he said: 'Burn them alive, no religion can abuse children the way they do.' Hussain admitted four counts of expressing support for a proscribed organisation and seven counts of stirring up racial hatred between 3 November 2023 and 10 January 2024. Judge Anthony Leonard, KC said: 'On 14 September 2023, you created an account on your social media platform now known as X on a username which could not be connected to you but which included a 9/11 reference.' The judge said a pre-sentence report revealed Hussain was spending £600 a week on cannabis at the time of the offences. Hussain refused to give his PIN to police but once they got into his phone, they found still images 'indicative of a mindset that was supportive of Hamas.' 'You are not being punished for your sympathy but for what your posts may have garnered support for a proscribed organisation,' the judge continued. Hussain believed 9/11 was a planned attack and that the US government knew about and allowed it to happen, the court heard. Judge Leonard told Hussain he had 'focused on hate speech instead of educating yourself.' Hussain, who had a previous conviction for robbery in 2012, was jailed for five years and eight months, with an extended period on licence of three years. Wearing a green t-shirt, he waved to the public gallery as he was led to the cells. Hussain, of no fixed address, admitted four counts of expressing support for a proscribed organisation and seven counts of stirring up racial hatred between 3 November 2023 and 10 January 2024.
