Pro-Palestine demonstrators screamed “Free Palestine,” yelled antisemitic slurs, and intimidated Jews in Vaughan, ON, outside a plaza with Jewish businesses. .“This is NOT anti Zionism —it’s a blatant act of #antisemitic hate which must be condemned by everyone,” said Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman in a Friday tweet..Lantsman said people “do not come to a Jewish neighbourhood and yell anti-Semitic tropes if it isn’t about hating Jews.” She went on to say police forces across Canada need to start treating incidents like this one as hate crimes. .Lantsman claimed protestors were soon after arrested by York Regional Police (YRP) for holding this protest. .“Trust this antisemitic hate parade in our community is punished by the fullest extent of the law,” she said..Former Canadian ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici said incidents like this one are a regular occurance around Toronto. .“Where’s the outrage? @JustinTrudeau @melaniejoly @AnitaAnandMP @karinagould?” said Bercovici. .“Will one of you, your colleagues, condemn this?”.YRP media relations officer Laura Nicolle said one person was arrested for breach of the peace at this protest, but she is unaware at this time of any other offences committed..“Our role during a protest is to monitor the situation, ensure the safety of our citizens, and respond as needed if an offence occurs, while respecting the fundamental rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” said Nicolle. .Nicolle said while police may investigate offences as hate motivated, there is no charge under the Criminal Code of Canada enabling them to arrest people regarding hate except if another offence is happening. .A new record was set for antisemitic incidents in Canada for the sixth year in a row in 2021, an increase of 7.2% from the previous year, according to the 40th Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents by B’nai Brith Canada. .“Despite the dismal numbers posted in 2021, there is always hope for improvement,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn. .“Better reporting of hate crimes and incidents, better training and resources for police departments to recognize and combat antisemitism, may all make a difference, if achieved.”.About eight antisemitic incidents occurred every day in Canada. There was a 733% uptick in violent antisemitic attacks compared to 2020.
