‘Utterly disgraceful’: Federal leaders condemn comments made at Ottawa pro-Palestinian rally
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, federal ministers and other Canadian politicians are condemning comments made at a pro-Palestinian rally in Ottawa on Saturday.
In video posted to social media, hundreds are shown attending a pro-Palestinian march, which have been taking place weekly since the start of the Israel-Hamas War on October 7.
The video, which has not been independently verified by CTV News, shows a person on a megaphone leading marchers in front of Parliament Hill.
“October 7 is proof that we are almost free,” the person on the megaphone is heard saying.
“Long live October 7, long live the resistance, long live the intifada, long live every form of resistance.”
Trudeau took to social media on Sunday, calling the comments antisemitic.
“There is a difference between peaceful protest and hateful intimidation,” Trudeau said on X.
“It is unconscionable to glorify the antisemitic violence and murder perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th. This rhetoric has no place in Canada. None.”
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller called the comments “hateful” and “utterly disgraceful.”
“Glorifying the terror and death perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 is reprehensible and incites hatred. No protest, whatever the reason, should include this despicable language,” Miller said.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also condemned the comments.
“I condemn these pro-genocide, antisemitic chants. We stand with Jews in Canada and around the world against these malicious words and deeds,” Poilievre said.
Other politicians, including Ontario MPP Lisa MacLeod and Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, made posts to social media, calling on the Prime Minister to take further action on increasing antisemitism across the country since the start of the war.
The condemnations are some of the most pointed comments made by federal officials with regards to comments made at a pro-Palestinian rally to date.
It’s unknown who made the comments at the rally, which were made two days before the Jewish holiday Passover.
The Ottawa Police Service says it has “received complaints about hate speech” during a demonstration relating to the Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon.
“Our Hate and Bias Crime Unit has launched an investigation into those allegations and we have received video of the incident. The Service is in close contact with community leaders and institutions, and we understand the community’s concerns,” the Ottawa police said in an email to CTV News.
“Threats of violence, property destruction, or other unlawful conduct are not protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Hate speech, symbols and other hate-motivated incidents are unacceptable. The Ottawa Police Service has zero tolerance for hate-motivated incidents.”
Already heightened tensions in the Israel-Hamas war have increased after Iran launched unprecedented airstrikes on Israel last week. Israel subsequently launched a retaliatory strike on Iran’s air defences near the central city of Isfahan.
Officials have been condemning a rise of antisemitism and offensive statements made since the start of the war. Columbia University cancelled in-person classes on Monday following days of pro-Palestinian protests on campus, which have received criticism from Jewish students who say the protests make them feel unsafe.
U.S. President Joe Biden blasted the protests in a written statement on Sunday, calling “blatant antisemitism” as “reprehensible and dangerous.”
Ottawa police are asking anyone with information is about Saturday’s incident is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Hate and Bias Crime Unit at (613) 236-1222, ext. 5015.
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