The prevalence of anti-Semitism is growing at an unacceptable rate across the globe. The targeting of Jews and Jewish businesses we see in the headlines is an alarming development.
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What appeared to start as a problem in the “rest of the world” has now escalated to include incidents of threats and violence right here in Canada and Manitoba. Anti-Semitism exists right here, and it cannot be ignored.
In December of 2023, the University of Manitoba said it found anti-Semitic posters on its campus and was seeking a police investigation. Dozens of posters were found across campus and involved anti-Semitic language and defamatory statements directed at Jews. Social media notices were posted calling for demonstrations at Jewish businesses. Our institutions of higher learning are the academic incubators of our future leaders of business, culture and government. They cannot also be a breeding ground for hate and radical ideology.
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Anti-Semitism has permeated social media and everyday life. Pro-Hamas protests of hate have escalated all over Canada. The right to peaceful assemble is valid in Canada but not if it involves violence or directed threat which has clearly been the case.
Normalizing this disorder by targeting private businesses or communities or blocking critical infrastructure is not only wrong, but unlawful. Freedom of speech is upheld by Canadian law but ends when violence is intended or committed. That line has been crossed — the rhetoric has escalated to actual violence. It’s time for law enforcement to act.
According to the Winnipeg Police Service, there have been 37 public protests of the Israel-Hamas War between Oct. 9 and Dec. 6 in Winnipeg. This cost the police service 2,288 hours of overtime. Some of the protests directly targeted Jewish-owned businesses. These deliberate acts of aggression and the ideology motivating them are the very definition of hate. Hate targeting Jews has a name – anti-Semitism, and it is not acceptable in this or any community. We must stand up to the proliferation of violent acts and rhetoric and put a stop to these incidents.
At the end of November, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a Jewish centre in Montreal. Toronto police are investigating what appears to be a hate-motivated arson and graffiti at a deli in North York last week. Violent protests do nothing to raise public sympathy for any cause. These acts must not ne normalized or tolerated.
When society starts to normalize violence, it fosters an environment where perpetrators are emboldened to escalate their aggression without fear of reprisal. It erodes public safety and mocks the basis of law and order in society. Without the rule of law and criminal consequences, all we have is chaos. Tolerating anti-Semitism is a dangerous lurch into that eventuality.
Canada is a country that was founded on the right of equal protection under the law without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin. We believe in law and order and must uphold these values unconditionally. Allowing anti-Semitism to permeate our society without consequence desecrates our values and our laws.
I, therefore, without hesitation, condemn Hamas and the atrocities they have committed and further condemn the hate and violence that is illegally besetting our streets and communities. I encourage all in Manitoba to stand up with me and help end anti-Semitism in our community.
— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, a former city councillor and a former Winnipeg Sun publisher.
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KLEIN: We must put an end to anti-Semitism
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14.01.2024
The prevalence of anti-Semitism is growing at an unacceptable rate across the globe. The targeting of Jews and Jewish businesses we see in the headlines is an alarming development.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Don't have an account? Create Account
What appeared to start as a problem in the “rest of the world” has now escalated to include incidents of threats and violence right here in Canada and Manitoba. Anti-Semitism exists right here, and it cannot be ignored.
In December of 2023, the University of Manitoba said it found anti-Semitic posters on its campus and was seeking a police investigation. Dozens of posters were found across campus and involved anti-Semitic language and defamatory statements directed at Jews. Social media notices were posted calling for demonstrations at Jewish businesses. Our institutions of higher learning are the academic incubators of our future leaders of business, culture and government. They cannot also be a breeding ground for hate and radical ideology.
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