CIJA said the latest incident followed nearly three years of repeated demonstrations and harassment targeting the Jewish community.
By Shula Rosen
Toronto police are investigating an incident in a Jewish neighborhood in North York after a university instructor reportedly accused Jews of using “black magic” and committing sexual violence, murder and the killing and eating of children.
Police said their Hate Crime Unit is investigating the incident, which occurred over the weekend near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West.
The person was identified on social media as Dr. Abbas Hamze.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, B’nai Brith Canada and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre issued a joint statement calling the incident “blatant antisemitism” and demanding consequences.
“An individual who is reportedly a university instructor stood in a Jewish neighborhood and repeated some of the oldest and most vile lies and conspiracy theories about Jews – accusing Jews of using ‘black magic,’ raping, murdering, and eating children,” the organizations said.
They described the allegations as blood libels that historically have been used to incite hostility and violence against Jews.
CIJA said the latest incident followed nearly three years of repeated demonstrations and harassment targeting the Jewish community around Bathurst and Sheppard, which it described as the center of a Toronto Jewish neighborhood.
“Week after week, for nearly three years, the Jewish community has been harassed and targeted at Bathurst and Sheppard, the heart of a Toronto Jewish neighbourhood,” CIJA said.
The organization cited previous incidents involving signs depicting Jews as “vermin” that it compared to Nazi-era propaganda, as well as demonstrators carrying signs targeting Jewish elected officials while marching through residential streets.
CIJA said the latest allegations represented another escalation in the rhetoric directed at Jews in the area.
“And now, an individual who is reportedly a university instructor accusing Jews of using ‘black magic,’ raping, murdering, and eating children,” the organization said.
“This cannot be allowed to continue without consequences.”
Toronto police did not provide further details about the individual involved or announce any charges. The investigation is being handled by the department’s Hate Crime Unit.
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