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Geoff Russ: Canada capitulates to mob rule as anti-Israel activists thwart the law

14 75
06.03.2024

Protesters have been given free rein to break the rules for years, so it's no wonder the Italian visit to Canada became a target

Last weekend, mob rule reigned supreme as a group of a few hundred anti-Israel protesters managed to shut down a gala featuring the elected leaders of two G7 countries. It did not happen in Jordan or Algeria — it happened in Toronto, at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Given the trajectory of activism in Canada over the last five years, it should come as no surprise.

It is one thing for the police to be overwhelmed by superior numbers. It was another thing entirely for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s team to decide to cancel the event (a detail confirmed by the Toronto Police Service), which was supposed to have both Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in attendance.

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The gala was also supposed to host representatives of Ontario’s Italian-Canadian community, who went home frustrated and angry. Among them was Liberal MP and former minister of public safety Marco Mendicino.

“You break the law, you should be arrested, charged and prosecuted. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Police need to enforce the law,” Mendicino posted Sunday on X.

No arrests have been made thus far. Flavio Volple, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’​ Association, who was in attendance, slammed the response to the incident on X.

“Toronto let 100 Hamas-supporters shouting for an ‘intifada’ cancel an event between two G7 Leaders tonight,” wrote Volpe. “For law enforcement to get outmaneuvered by the same people shouting hate every week begs so many questions. Tonight it’s an international embarrassment on this city.”

It was just the latest embarrassment for Canada in recent months.

Since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, and the country’s subsequent military operation in........

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