Plante did not go far enough to condemn anti-Semitism: community leaders

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A group of community leaders have signed a letter urging Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante to publicly denounce anti-Jewish hatred and fire the city's anti-racism commissioner.

The group includes former MP Marlene Jennings, who will serve as president of the Network of Quebec Community Groups for an 18-month term that ends in 2022, and Gemma Raeburn Bains, an activist in the city's Caribbean community.

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The letter (reprinted below) condemns the “horrific wave of anti-Semitism witnessed in Montreal following the attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.” It also highlights the ambush of Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levy (who is Jewish) by Palestinian supporters at an agglomeration council meeting on 18 December, as well as the actions of anti-racism commissioner Bohra Manai, who took part in anti-Israel protests. which controversial imam Adil Charkawi “AGod to destroy the Zionists.”

Manai did not apologize for his participation in the rallies, but admitted during a meeting with the Jewish rights group B'nai Brith Canada that he should refrain from participating in future rallies. This was after Plante reminded him that he had a “duty of restraint”.

The letter says that despite frequent anti-Semitic attacks in Montreal, including shootings at two Jewish schools, Plante has yet to adequately condemn anti-Semitism and call for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza.

Reached by phone this week, Jennings said he was proud to put his name on the letter. He said that despite some of Plante's good words, he had so far failed to clearly condemn anti-Semitism because he often used other forms of hatred in his statements, particularly against the Muslim community.

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“If we're talking about anti-black hate, we're not talking about other kinds of hate,” Jennings said. “Furthermore, (Manaï) has not yet apologized and has not yet been removed from that position.”

In a written response, the Center for Jewish and Israeli Affairs agreed that the mayor's office had no response to anti-Semitism.

“A few months ago, we called for Bohra Manai to be replaced,” said Eta Yudin, Quebec's vice-president for CIJA. “Though the mayor reprimanded him, the matter was never properly resolved. Manai has failed the Montrealers in crunch time and needs to be replaced. Anti-Semitism is at record levels. The Jewish mayor of one city in the agglomeration is frequently subjected to anti-Semitic attacks at meetings. Protesters using foreign conflict are creating hate in our streets, malls, bridges and communities.

“Montrealers have reason to be concerned that our elected officials do not understand the gravity of the situation. We say it again: Valerie Plante must step up, replace Bohra Manai and acknowledge the historic nature of anti-Semitism.

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When asked about the letter, Plante would not say whether he would fire Manai or accept the IHRA's definition of anti-Semitism. However, he spoke out against the hatred directed against the Jewish community.

“It's been difficult for the Jewish community: two Jewish schools were shot on the eve of the holiday, so I understand there's (a sense of insecurity),” Plante said Wednesday at City Hall.

“That being said, it is very important for me to reiterate that anti-Semitism is not something we tolerate in the city of Montreal. That's why the city has worked with police to bring more officers to certain areas on demand. We meet every day with representatives of the Jewish community and we will continue to do so and we will be on the ground to convince people that Montreal is a safe city and a city of peace.”

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A letter from groups and individuals calls on Mayor Valérie Plante to fight anti-Semitism in Montreal.

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February 5, 2024

We, the undersigned, come from various racial and religious minorities. We condemn the horrific wave of anti-Semitism witnessed in Montreal following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.

At the Agglomeration Council meeting on 21 December 2023, when anti-Israel hate demonstrators appeared to storm Hampstead, we were shocked that they passed legislation to fine those who tear up placards demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. terrorists.

We were disgusted to learn that these demonstrators were invited by Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and her party leader Alexander Norris to question the Mayor of Hampstead directly at the Agglomeration Council at the Montreal Council meeting on December 18th.

However, this fits the pattern. Mayor Plante has strongly defended Bohra Manai, the city's anti-racism commissioner, who unapologetically attended anti-Israel rallies where anti-Semitic chants were heard and a local imam made statements that both Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Legoule condemned as anti-Semitic and inflammatory. hatred against Jews.

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We applaud the Jewish Community Council and the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs for calling for Manai's shooting.

Moreover, while no other North American city has witnessed as many incidents of violence targeting Jews as Montreal in recent months, Mayor Plante has yet to fully and unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism and call on Hamas to lay down its weapons. and release the hostages.

It's time to act and we're calling on Montrealers to support our demands below:

• Bohra Manai's immediate dismissal as Montreal's anti-racism commissioner;
• Mayor Plante's definitive statement condemning Hamas as a terrorist group and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages;
• Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance City Council's Definition of Anti-Semitism.

By the way, the recent removal of Councilor Norris as leader of the House of Representatives does not calm us down. Unlike the mayors of many major Canadian cities, Mary Plante did not strongly condemn anti-Semitism.

It's about time he did. I am Israel Chai

Sincerely yours,

Marlene Jennings Dear Marlene Jennings PC LLB

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Marvin Rotrand
Member of Montreal City Council, 1982-2021

Eli Israel
Division 1 Commissioner – EMSB

Norberto Mandin
Founder of CPRM Community Radio

Yvonne Sam
A chair. Committee on Rights and Freedoms Black Community Resource Center

Gemma Raeburn Baines
President, Playmas Caribbean Association

Ramon Vincent
President of Philippine Family Services

Julien Barrington
President of the Antigua and Barbuda Association

Norman Simon
President, Canadians live together

Luzviminda Mazzone
President, FFCAQ

Dr. David Zuroff
Honorary Professor of Psychology

Mark Groisberg
President
United community of Russian-speaking Jews

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