B’nai Brith Canada

Quebec med school applicants posted antisemitic, racist messages

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

A public Discord server called Med serveur on the Internet has become a “cesspool of antisemitism, racism, misogyny, and hate,” B’nai Brith Canada has revealed.

“For months, a number of aspiring doctors openly posted Holocaust denial, praise for the ‘Final Solution,’ hurled racial slurs, glorified terrorism, and degraded women,” the organization said. “This content wasn’t buried. It was shared in open channels, visible to over 1,400 members. Almost no one spoke up. These aren’t anonymous trolls. They are future doctors. And this kind of hate doesn’t stay online. It follows them into classrooms, clinics, and operating rooms.”

B’ani Brith Canada added that “silence enables this rot to spread. Institutions must act—now.Hate like this has no place in healthcare—or anywhere in Canadian society.”

The organization revealed some of the offending posts, which say “the Islamic State of Quebec,” “they are just Negroes”, “imagine a woman under antidepressant and f–king Ritalin who [performs?] surgery on you. She’ll vomit mid-surgery because it’s ‘too stressful’ and she needs a ‘mental health break’” and “Don’t worry. You can trust me as long as you don’t have kippa under your wig.” There are also cartoon depictions of Jews reminiscent of those in the Nazi publication Der Sturmer.

B’nai Brith added its own message in a graphic, saying “you’ve been exposed” and “would you trust these doctors with your life?”

Lior Bibas of the Association of Jewish Doctors of Quebec stated, “If these accounts are really from future physicians, we need an immediate investigation to identify those responsible and ensure they are not admitted to our medical schools or allowed to practice medicine. It is essential that the institutions involved act swiftly, transparently, and decisively to restore public trust.

“Hate has no place in medicine. These reported comments are not only unacceptable—they are dangerous. Admitting individuals who hold such views into the medical profession poses a real risk to Quebec patients, especially those from vulnerable communities. Medicine must be grounded in ethics, respect, and inclusion. Those who do not uphold these values should not be entrusted with the care of our population.”

A 106-page report that is circulating amongst Jewish doctors, most of which contains examples of the numerous offensive postings, alleges that at least one Dawson College student and a current Quebec medical student have posted some of the messages. The Dawson administration is reportedly looking into the matter.

The report adds that “themes commonly mentioned included claims that Quebec medical students discriminated against Arab/Muslim medical applicants and in favour of Jewish medical applicants….Most concerningly, no other bystanders [on Discord] stepped in to challenge these narratives, raising questions as to the moral fibre and character of the medical student applicant pool in Quebec and their ability to correctly identify and stand up to racism, sexism and Jew hatred.” n

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Mount Royal election debate a mystery

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

B’nai Brith Canada and Anthony Housefather’s Liberal campaign are declining to confirm whether a federal election debate in the Mount Royal riding had been planned by the organization and cancelled because the incumbent was not available.

The last debate in the riding took place in 2019, was organized by B’nai Brith Canada and was between Housefather and former Conservative candidate David Tordjman. Debates had also taken place during the 2015 Mount Royal campaign.

The Suburban has seen a graphic and an alleged B’nai Brith post announcing that their Mount Royal debate was cancelled because Housefather had a scheduling conflict, but we could not find either on the organization’s social media page.

Asked to confirm whether a debate was to take place, B’nai Brith Canada Quebec regional director Henry Topas told The Suburban, “we thank you but have no comment at this time.”

Former D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman, speaking for Housefather’s campaign, told The Suburban that any request for an appearance at an event would “have to be based on the merits and Anthony’s time.”

Earlier last week, Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi posted on social media that he had heard Housefather could not participate in a debate because of scheduling conflicts.

Also asked about the issue, Conservative candidate Neil Oberman told The Suburban, ”I am prepared to engage in discussions or any other methods necessary to ensure the electorate is fully informed about their rights and the key issues affecting their daily lives. Canadians have long been silenced, and it is crucial for every citizen to amplify their voices regarding their rights so they can make informed choices at the polls.If the Liberal Party and its agents choose not to debate me, it is their decision. However, the residents of Mount Royal deserve the opportunity to understand who the candidates are and what they stand for.” Stay tuned. n

Mount Royal election debate a mystery Read More »

B’nai Brith Canada presents plan to fight antisemitism on campuses

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

B’nai Brith Canada announced last week that it developed a Policy for Combating Antisemitism on Campuses (PCAC), a “comprehensive policy for universities to use as a go-to resource for addressing unprecedented levels of antisemitism, which have spiked since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel.”

And more recently, the organization announced its launch of a policy “to help school boards across the country respond to the unprecedented crisis of antisemitism in their districts since Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel last Oct. 7, 2023.”

The organization says its policy in relation to universities “not only proposes measures to protect against antisemitism but enables post-secondary institutions” to take a “proactive stance against disinformation and historical revisionism. Its adoption would represent a commitment to upholding the values of truth, justice, and equity for all members of our campus communities.”

B’nai Brith had asked universities how they planned to protect Jewish students for this academic year.

“Most schools said existing policies and frameworks already contain safeguards intended to combat and protect students from racism and hatred,” the organization’s statement says.

Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada’s Director of Research and Advocacy, says the issue is “there is a lack of understanding of what antisemitism means.

“Universities need a better definition of antisemitism to improve their existing anti-hate policies and ensure Jewish persons are included within existing frameworks. PCAC is meant to fill this role by enhancing existing policies.”

B’nai Brith Canada says it ‘looks forward to the universal adoption of PCAC and its acceptance into common parlance in Canada.”

Some of PCAC’s points include:

• “The university acknowledges that Jewish identity is multifaceted, encompassing ethnicity, culture, and religion. Jewish people constitute an ethnic group with a shared heritage, history, and cultural practices that have evolved over millennia. This policy commits to safeguarding the rights of Jewish members of the institution’s community to fully participate in the university community without discrimination, bias, or exclusion.”

• “Historically, Jewish communities have faced systemic persecution, discrimination, and violence rooted in antisemitism. This policy responds to the ongoing threats that Jewish students face, which are exacerbated by historical and contemporary forms of antisemitism, underscoring the need for proactive measures to create an inclusive and safe environment.”

• “Antisemitism intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as racism, xenophobia, and religious intolerance. Addressing antisemitism within the institution’s EDI (Equality Diversity Inclusion) framework strengthens the broader efforts to combat all forms of oppression and supports the creation of an inclusive environment for all marginalized groups.”

Regarding its policy to battle antisemitism at schools (PCAS), B’nai Brith’s document says “it is paramount that students learn that antisemitism or hatred of any kind is unacceptable in their foundational school years. [The policy’s] purpose is to ensure that the school environment is free from antisemitism and to provide Jewish students with support in expressing their cultural, religious and historical identity.”

Adopting the policy would “demonstrate schools’ commitment to combating antisemitism as both a form of prejudice and a legacy of colonial oppression.”

The organization noted that the release of the PCAS “comes as the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) faces an investigation for allegedly allowing staff to bring students to an anti-Israel rally during school hours.

“Antisemitism driven by radical ideologies is increasingly becoming a problem in elementary, middle and high schools,” said Robertson. “School boards such as the TDSB need a better definition of antisemitism to improve their existing anti-hate policies to ensure they include the hate being faced by Jewish individuals. PCAS was created to serve that purpose, and we are confident it will.” n

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United Against Hate group officially launches

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

The nation-wide United Against Hate group founded by former Snowdon councillor and former B’nai Brith Canada League For Human Rights director Marvin Rotrand, active since January, has officially launched.

Rotrand, the Director General of the organization, told a Zoom press conference that the group is now registered as a non-profit and that June 19 the official launch date is also the birth anniversary of Dr. José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, “someone who stood for racial equality and brotherhood, and good relations between nations,” and fought against antisemitism.

Rotrand said United Against Hate will now accelerate its activities, and said the organization was created to “fill a void.

“We wanted to promote cross-cultural dialogue and highlight the contributions of Canada’s diverse population to the country’s success,” he said. “We felt that no other group was doing what we wished to do. We are non-governmental, non-partisan, multicultural, multi-racial and devoted to combating hate by building bridges. We leverage the strength of communities to aid each other.”

The group’s mission includes “promoting cross cultural communication with a focus on dialogue between different religious and racial minorities; combating the unprecedented upsurge in antisemitism witnessed in Canada over the past months; promoting dialogue between Jews and Muslims in Canada and highlighting the contributions of the many diverse communities to Canada’s well being and success including promoting the heritage months of racial and religious minorities.”

United Against Hate’s board members are: Perry Balendra – Former President, Tamil Association of Canada; Will Barclay – Academic, former Research and Data Analyst at B’nai Brith Canada; Frank Baylis – former Member of Parliament for Pierrefonds – Dollard; Alton Brooks – former Board member Jamaica Canadian Association of Ontario; Bashir Hussein – President, Council of South Asian Communities; Ellie Israel – School Commissioner at the English Montreal School Board; Dougald Lamont, former MLA and outgoing leader Manitoba Liberal Party, Norberto Mandin – Founder, CPRM Community Radio, Luzviminda Mazzone – President, Federation of Filipino Canadian Associations and Gemma Raeburn Baynes – President, Playmas Caribbean Cultural Association.

Rotrand said his group has already called for a second national summit to combat antisemitism, issued an open letter signed by 200 prominent Canadians “demanding that the Government of Canada act in light of an unprecedented wave of hate aimed at Jews seen over the last months,” has been “asked to speak at Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day by Tamil organizations, collaborated with Bangladeshi groups to urge Canada to continue to provide support for Rohingya refugees and is fostering links with the Cypriot community in advance of the 50th anniversary of the invasion and continued occupation of that country by the Republic of Türkiye,” and working with provinces to promote better Holocaust education, working with the Iranian diaspora to support a Canadian ban om the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” amongst other accomplishments.

(As the Zoom call was proceeding, news broke on CBC that Canada was about to proclaim the IRGC a terrorist organization according to the Criminal Code. Rotrand told The Suburban he was “thrilled. We support the same position as many other Jewish and Iranian groups do.)

Baylis told the Zoom call that the work of United Against Hate is extremely important.

He added that while Canadians generally live in peace, we now see “ugly signs of discrimination, of hate bubbling up, and unless we stand up and speak to it, it’s like we accept it. The rise in antisemitism is unacceptable.”

Mazzone said United Against Hate is a “much needed tool to build dialogue and collaboration amongst our country’s diverse communities.”

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SPVM responds to The Suburban on hate crimes after Rotrand letter

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Marvin Rotrand, formerly head of B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights, and now interim director of the new United Against Hate organization, is calling for clarity from the SPVM on hate crimes committed against the Montreal Jewish community.

Rotrand, whose new organization’s goal is to “promote dialogue and understanding within our diverse population to strengthen anti-hate efforts,” wrote to Montreal police chief Fady Dagher, pointing out that there has been a major increase in hate crime incidents in Canada in general, especially against Jewish communities since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

“Montreal was not spared from the wave of hatred targeting Jews,” Rotrand wrote. “Jewish schools were shot at and arson attempts were perpetrated against Jewish community buildings. Hateful gatherings openly incited violence against the Jewish community, Jewish students were attacked at Concordia University and calls for boycotts of businesses were launched simply because their owners are Jewish.”

Rotrand wrote that even after all of these incidents and the concerns expressed by the Jewish community, “there have been very few arrests.

“The lack of application of our laws gives the feeling that the authorities have not allocated the necessary resources to solve the major crimes we have witnessed in our city.”

Rotrand asked Dagher:

• “How many hate crimes and incidents have been recorded by the SPVM since Oct. 7, 2023? Of these, how many specifically targeted the Jewish community?”

• “With regard to incidents occurring since Oct. 7, 2023, when shots were fired at Jewish schools, and there were arson attempts against Jewish community buildings and acts of vandalism, are these incidents being investigated as probable hate crimes?”

• “What is the role of the SPVM’s Hate Crimes unit in these investigations? Does the unit lead the investigations? If not, what is its role?

• “On Nov. 24, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said that his department’s hate crimes unit had increased from a team from six people to 32. He said that since Oct. 7, the expanded unit made 22 arrests and laid 58 charges. What is the current number of police officers assigned to the hate crimes unit of the SPVM?

• Are there plans to increase the unit’s capacity to deal with the current epidemic of antisemitic incidents?

Rotrand wrote Dagher that the Montreal Jewish community “appreciates the statements you have made in recent months that anti-Semitism is unacceptable, and the increased visibility near Jewish institutions last October and November.

“However, the fact that there have been no arrests for these major crimes fuels a strong feeling that the SPVM must allocate many more resources so that investigations result in arrests and indictments of criminals.”

Contacted by The Suburban, the SPVM’s media representative said Dagher will respond to Rotrand in due course. They also provided the most recent statistics regarding hate crimes and incidents against members of the Jewish and Arab-Muslim communities from Oct. 7 to Feb. 24 — 42 hate crimes against Jewish individuals, 19 against Arab-Muslims; 32 hate crimes against Jewish properties, seven against Arab-Muslim properties; 56 antisemitic hate incidents, and 17 anti-Arab-Muslim incidents, for a total of 173 incidents — 130 against the Jewish community and 43 against the Arab-Muslim community.

The SPVM added that “there is no offence identified as a ‘hate crime’ in the Criminal Code.

“The hateful character is in fact a constitutive and aggravating factor of a given criminal act, a factor which must be nuanced depending on the context. For example, if a person is the victim of an assault motivated by hatred towards their religion, the suspect will be charged with assault and the hateful nature will be taken into consideration when determining the sentence, if convicted.”

The police added that although the SPVM’s hate crimes unit (MICH) processes them, hate incidents “do not lead to arrests or charges, because they are not criminal offences. The MICH takes care of this in order to prevent these incidents from potentially becoming hate crimes.” n

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