Antisemitism is a problem that seems to be spreading around the world during a time when people are celebrating the holidays. Jews in the U.S. are scared to walk to their classes from their dormitories because antisemitic incidents are happening all over the world. In the face of these attacks, Jews and supporters are rallying to fight the global wave of antisemitism. In some cases, the act of getting to a rally is a form of fighting hatred.
Shocking news about disruption of Ottawa pro-Israel rally pic.twitter.com/gNZCl75mxS
— David Frum (@davidfrum) December 4, 2023
On Monday, Canada’s capital, Ottawa, was to host a national pro-Israel rally. The rally on Parliament Hill is meant to demonstrate Canadian support for Israel and condemn the antisemitism wave that has been seen in Canada. Not everyone seems to support Israel. The Greater Toronto Chapter United Jewish Appeal (UJA), which was hired to transport members to the rally, failed to arrive. Members were forced to find alternative transportation.
UJA members claim that the buses had been paid for and the trip was confirmed by the bus company before Monday. The company has not provided any explanation as to why the buses did not show up. Adam Minsky, the President and CEO of the UJA Federation said:
“We were shocked. We were shocked.
This story is familiar. Last month, several hundred Jews from Detroit were stuck at Washington Dulles Airport when the bus drivers that were supposed to transport them to the pro-Israel rally held in the nation’s capital, which was attended by approximately 300,000 Jews, failed to arrive. Bus drivers had walked out impromptu, the group was informed. The group was stuck at the airport for almost nine hours. Marla Schloss, who was part of the group, said that she “couldn’t help but wonder whether the drivers did it on purpose.” The Jewish Federation of Detroit, in this case, is working with the company to determine what exactly happened and whether the drivers were malicious.
Adam Minsky stated in the case of Canadian Jews that he would also be investigating what happened on the bus. Minsky stated, “What happened is disgusting and outrageous.” We will use every tool available to us in legal and public affairs to respond aggressively. He also added that “strong and decisive action against this company” is what the group promises.
Many pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas demonstrations go beyond the simple act of speaking. In Washington D.C. last month, graffiti with phrases such as “Death To Israel” and “Glory To Our Martyrs,” was spray-painted on buildings. A White House gate, meanwhile, was vandalized in red paint. Over the weekend in Philadelphia, a pro-Palestinian group surrounded an Israeli restaurant and accused it of being involved in genocide. No police were visible, and there were no arrests. It was not a protest. This was a deliberate attack surrounding a Jewish-owned business. Many public events, such as menorah-lighting ceremonies, have been canceled across the country in preparation for Hanukkah.
It is unlikely that we will ever know what happened in the two cases where bus companies failed to deliver Jewish customers to their destinations. The groups will likely receive a refund of their money and possibly an apology from the bus companies. Nothing else will happen. This will allow other companies to get away with a soft form of antisemitism. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all!
“Today, we stand united in historic times, affirming Israel’s identity as the homeland for all Jews. Facing threats both military and ideological, our unity is our strength. We oppose antisemitism in all its forms and support peaceful coexistence. @MoedIddo #IsraelStrong… pic.twitter.com/1lPYmPJ26r
— Israel in Canada (@IsraelinCanada) December 4, 2023
