Toronto Model Allegedly Kicked Out of Uber for Being Jewish

A model in Toronto claims she was removed from an Uber ride after the driver discovered her faith. Miriam Matova, 33, shared her experience in a conversation on Monday, describing how she was on a ride along Dundas Street when she FaceTimed a friend about her recent mission trip to Israel.

Suddenly, the female driver stopped abruptly at a busy intersection, insisting that Matova exit the vehicle. “I immediately hung up and asked why they were stopping me. They said they were uncomfortable with me in the car,” Matova recalled. When she probed further, the driver stated they “weren’t driving Jews.”

According to an Uber spokesperson, the company is investigating the situation and has been in touch with both Matova and the driver. They expressed regret for the incident: “There should be no discrimination on our platform, and we take concerns like this very seriously.”

Matova, a former Miss Slovakia and a Canadian citizen, noted that her friend, who had booked the ride, lodged a formal complaint with Uber following the incident. She expressed her disappointment, saying, “Canada is a place I’ve always believed in, and that’s why I came back here. It’s welcoming and diverse.” She emphasized the need to address issues of hatred across all communities, asserting that “this isn’t about playing the victim.”

Her attorney, Howard Levitt, stated that they are seeking an apology from Uber, the driver’s termination, and a charitable contribution to an Israeli organization of Matova’s choice. He criticized Uber for not responding adequately to their requests, calling their privacy concerns “complete nonsense.”

Matova also visited Israel in early November to witness the impact of the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. She emphasized that this was not her first experience with anti-Semitism in Canada and called for more people to confront modern-day anti-Semitism.