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4 Jewish People Assaulted After Walking Home from Vaughan Synagogue: Police
York Regional Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a reported hate-motivated assault in the area of Bathurst St. and Flamingo Rd. in Vaughan. According to police, a man on an electric bicycle spat at four Jewish individuals and made antisemitic comments.
"We need to see increasing action from law enforcement," FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt told Global News yesterday. "But also we need to hear political leaders at all levels of government, recognizing what's happening to Jews in Canada right now."
'This Crossed the Line': Toronto Deputy Mayor, Councillor Call on Ottawa to Investigate Arson at Jewish-Owned North York Deli as Possible Terrorist Act
Toronto Deputy Mayor Mike Colle and Councillor James Pasternak are calling on the federal government to investigate the recent arson and vandalism incident at a Jewish-owned deli as a possible act of terrorism. It is currently being investigated by Toronto police as a hate-motivated crime.
"We don't want this to be a pattern of more of these horrendous acts of violence," said Colle. "This is more than just an arson. This was a targeted act of intimidation against this shopkeeper because he's Jewish."
Chief Apologizes After Video of Cops Carrying Coffee at Protest Sparks Outrage
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw apologized after officers were filmed bringing coffee and donuts to protesters at an anti-Israel demonstration on the Avenue Rd. and Highway 401 overpass. In a statement, the chief said he "immediately convened Command meetings and ordered a thorough review of the day's events and to ensure that the most effective operational planning and responses are in place."
Windsor Jewish Federation Accuses Pro-Palestinian Protestors of Attempted Intimidation
In a statement shared on social media, the Windsor Jewish Federation denounced an anti-Israel demonstration that took place in a neighbourhood with a predominantly Jewish population, calling it an attempt to intimidate Jewish-Windsorites.
Four of 11 Accused in Indigo Vandalism Case Make First Court Appearance
Four of the 11 people accused of vandalizing an Indigo storefront in downtown Toronto made their first court appearance Monday, marking the start of legal proceedings for the case. The suspects face charges of criminal harassment, mischief over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. FSWC had previously denounced the antisemitic vandalism, which targeted the company's Jewish CEO, Heather Reisman.
Australia Bans Nazi Salute and Public Display of Terror Group Symbols
Australia's new laws banning the Nazi salute, swastika and symbols associated with terror groups, including Hamas, came into effect on Monday. The display, sale and trade of these symbols is prohibited and punishable by up to 12 months in prison.
Irwin Cotler: South Africa Is Inverting Reality by Accusing Israel of Genocide
In a piece in the National Post, the Hon. Irwin Cotler speaks out against South Africa's application to the International Court of Justice alleging that Israel is in breach of the Genocide Convention, due to its conduct in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. "These proceedings turn fact and law on their head, inverting reality and effectively undermining international justice and the rules-based international order," writes Cotler.
When Hate Turns Violent
"Targeting communities here won’t bring about a solution," writes the Toronto Star Editorial Board. "It only sows division, deepens divides and risks spurring violence, as we saw with the attack on the Toronto deli."
Antisemitic Incidents Have ‘Skyrocketed’ in the United States Post-Oct. 7, ADL Reports
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there were 3,283 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. between Oct. 7 and Jan. 7, more than four times the number that occurred during the same period the year before. Of the total incidents, 60 were physical assaults, 553 were vandalism and 1,353 were incidents of harassment.
Julianna Margulies, Greg Berlanti, Mayim Bialik Among 260 Signatories of Letter to Film Academy Critiquing Jewish Exclusion from Diversity Standards
In an open letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Jewish entertainment figures - including Mayim Bialik, David Schwimmer, Debra Messing and Michael Rapaport - criticized the exclusion of Jewish people from the Motion Picture Academy’s Representation and Inclusion Standards.
Report Antisemitism and News of Concern to FSWC
If you would like to report antisemitism or news of concern to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, please email advocacy@fswc.ca.
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