Canadian police arrested a Jewish journalist on Sunday after pro-Hamas extremists made it clear that their presence in public spaces would not be tolerated.
Ezra Levant is the conservative publisher of Rebel News, one of Canada's few media organizations.
Not funded Reporters from the Trudeau government were reporting on pro-Hamas demonstrations near Bathurst Street and Shepherd Avenue, a historically Jewish area of Toronto. Levant is sharp Capturing extremists' comments and costumes on film. dressed up Yahya al-Sinwar: Hamas terrorist leader organized by the Israeli military killed In October.
Pro-Hamas militants also attended the rally.
hold sign It is characterized by its symbol, an inverted red triangle. used Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades went there to identify Israeli military targets.
in
picture From a pro-Hamas rally on the other side of the pro-Israel counter-demonstration, extremists can be heard not only celebrating Hezbollah but also denouncing Israel. currently listed Recognized as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government.
Mr. Levant was legally exercising his rights in public, but when it became clear that he had incited the mob by peacefully documenting the event, police swooped in and removed him.
“I was quietly filming a pro-Hamas protest in Toronto's Jewish District when I was arrested by police for 'causing a disturbance,'” Levant told Blaze News. “The police said my mere presence was causing a disturbance because the pro-Hamas people didn't want me there.”
“I am the law.”
Police swarmed Levanto and forcibly took him away as pro-Hamas militants chanted “Get rid of him! Get him out!” and “Go home!”
“Since when have foreign agitators promoting proscribed terrorist organizations been able to veto who can and cannot walk on the sidewalk?” Levant told Blaze News. “no way”
Blaze News reached out to Toronto Police for comment but did not receive a response by deadline. When asked for comment, the City of Toronto referred Blaze News to TPS.
Prior to his arrest, Levant
can be seen in one video Discussing the absurdity of his removal with the officers, they told him, “Look around. They're not happy that you're here.”
“You know you're a disgrace,” Levant told the officer. “You're a coward too. You'll do what they say because it's the path of least resistance.”
When Levant, a former lawyer, was instructed to leave the area, he told the officer, “You're violating my Charter rights.”
In response, the officer implied that Levant was inciting the mob, then told journalists: “I am the law.”
Another officer spoke up and asked Levant. “So you're refusing to leave?…Why?”
“Because I'm a Jew, I'm a citizen, and I'm your boss,” the journalist said.
“You know what?” the officer answered. “In order to maintain the peace here, in the interest of public safety, you are being arrested for a breach of the peace.”
Prohamas demonstrators cheered as police handcuffed Levant and led him away.
“I'm standing on the sidewalk in the city and I'm going to be arrested. I'm a Jew who lives in this neighborhood, and I'm going to be arrested,” Levant said, apparently a little shaken by the turn of events. . Because police say it's the path of least resistance. ”
“The police handcuffed me, searched me and imprisoned me for several hours, but ultimately refused to press charges. It was clearly the 'path of least resistance,'” Levant told Blaze News. . They knew I would follow, but recently pro-Hamas thugs have been rioting in Canada (Montreal, etc.). ”
Prohamas and anti-NATO extremists supported By over 25 leftist groups on the streets of Montreal On Friday, incendiary devices were set off, vehicles were set on fire, first responders were attacked, and storefronts were vandalized during the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose constituency or constituency is in the city. busy dance At a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto.
Levant's Rebel News reporter David Menzies was similarly arrested multiple times earlier this year for daring to cover pro-Hamas rallies, including one at Toronto City Hall.
“This is a public place!”
thousands of The April 7 event, which focused on demands for the release of the remaining Israeli prisoners taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, drew a large crowd, including Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poièvre. gathered. Anti-Israel demonstrators tried to stop the event.
“Incredibly, there was a protest by dozens of pro-Hamas protesters, which was particularly bad. To me, this was like ruining a funeral,” Menzies said after his release from the Blaze.・Told the news. “They are spouting rhetoric, including calls for genocide, such as 'from river to sea' and 'intifada.'
Menzies attempted to question members of the mob outside City Hall, but was allegedly assaulted. The police intervened not to save the reporter, but to arrest him.
“This is a public place!” Mr Menzies told one of the arresting officers, clearly in disbelief. “This is literally a public square.”
Menzies later told Blaze News he was charged with breach of peace and trespassing.
Like Levant, Menzies is no stranger to state abuse. After all, he
allegedly assaulted By Prime Minister Trudeau's bodyguard in 2021. After questioning Trudeau's deputy minister in January, he was assaulted by an RCMP officer and later taken away by York Regional Police. and both were arrested November 11th And then march for questioning pro-Hamas protesters.
Canada is not the only Western country where the sentiments of pro-Hamas activists and other extremists take precedence over the rights of other citizens.
Blaze News reported earlier this year that London's Metropolitan Police threatened to arrest Gideon Falter, the head of the anti-Semitism campaign, if he remained in an area of the city where pro-Hamas demonstrators were marching.
“Sir, you are quite openly Jewish.”
Footage of the crash showed Mr Falter, wearing a kippah, asking the sergeant: “So you mean I can't cross the road today because I'm Jewish?”
“It's because of the march,” said the sergeant.
Mr. Falter pursued the question: “So, is it because I'm Jewish?”
“That's part of the truth — unfortunately part of the truth,” said Sgt.
The sergeant, who eventually threatened to arrest Falter for breach of the peace, reminded him: “At this moment, sir, you are quite openly a Jew.”
Last week, Berlin's police chief Barbara Slovik told the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung: “People who wear kippahs and people who are openly gay or lesbian are asked to wear more clothes. There are areas in which I would like to give advice.'' Warn you. ”
“I don't mean to denigrate any group here,” Slowik said, but acknowledged that “there are certain areas where the majority of people live.”[ing there] They are of Arab descent and are also sympathetic to terrorist groups. ”
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