Trudeau and police send wrong signals to Jews and resident Hamas supporters

National Post, 1 December 2024

There's been much signalling, but no virtue

It was another distressing week for Canadian Jews and those alarmed by the rise of antisemitism in our common life and on our streets.

There was the violent riot in Montreal, where an amalgam of anti-NATO protesters and university student activists somehow managed to include Israel, Zionists, and Jews as targets of their graffiti, vandalism, and car-burning. Israel is not part of NATO and Zionism has nothing to do with tuition policy in Quebec.

Why do people who don’t like what NATO is doing regarding Ukraine speak about the “Zionist entity”? Why are those protesting tuition policy draped in the keffiyeh and dreaming of a Jew-free land “from the river to sea”?

There may be good answers to those questions. But it does appear, witnessing the rage-contorted faces on our streets, that the reality is tinged — or even drenched  — with contempt — or even hatred — for Jews.

For more than a year there have been demonstrations by Palestinian supporters in Jewish neighbourhoods in Toronto. Again, why Jewish neigbourhoods? Why vandalism against Jewish shops and schools? Is there a reason other than hatred for Jews?

Is it possible to be pro-Palestine and anti-Hamas? Myself, I would prefer that Palestinians not live under Hamas rule. But those on the streets of Toronto have too often been pro-Hamas, pure and simple. And Hamas hates Jews.

Last Sunday, Ezra Levant of Rebel News showed up at the pro-Hamas protest in his neighbourhood. It included a depiction of Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar. Levant wanted to film it. The Toronto police wanted to keep Levant away, even though it was public sidewalk. When Levant refused, he was arrested for “breaching the peace,” told by police that his simple “presence” was inciting the pro-Hamas element. Levant styled that as the police serving as “concierges to terrorists.”

Levant’s mere presence serves to agitate many, to be sure! The last time I saw him, I asked if tranquillity had broken out somewhere and he was on his way to stop it.

I have known Ezra Levant for 35 years. We went to different high schools in Calgary, but even then Levant had a wider audience. We have since taken different approaches to commentary in the public square. We differ on some things. I regret his contribution to the coarsening of our public discourse. We agree on other things. I admire his defence of Christians who face persecution.

After a year of pro-Hamas protests in Toronto, the police well know who Levant is. That he was arrested was wrong legally and insensitive to Jews who live in that neighbourhood. It was clearly intended to send a signal. I would be tempted to call it virtue signalling, but there was no virtue in it.

The signal was that Toronto’s residents ought to get used to pro-Hamas manifestations on their streets, and while their free expression rights are protected, those who object are a nuisance, a breach of the peace, even inciters of violence. The signal was clear: If you object to pro-Hamas demonstrators, pass by — literally — on other side of the street.

Levant was unjustly treated. Releasing him without charge after two hours, the police knew he did not deserve to be arrested. But Toronto does not deserve what it has suffered for more than a year.

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