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FIRST READING: The ever-worsening extremism of Canada's antizionists
Hamas vigils, endorsements of jihad, cheers for pogroms and demonstrators clad in body armour and militant garb
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There’s never been a point at which the core organizers of Canada’s anti-Israel movement haven’t been driven by extreme motives. These were the groups whose immediate response to the October 7 massacres were celebratory rallies in every major Canadian city. Samidoun — one of Canada’s principal “pro-Palestinian” coordinators — was just listed as a terrorist entity and accused of spending years providing material support to an active Gazan terror group.
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But in the beginning, there were modest efforts to conceal this. Crowds would chant for “intifada,” and then explain that it was merely an Arabic word meaning “uprising.” They’d call for Israel’s destruction, but code it in a chant of, “From the river to the sea.” And protests dispensed with the more explicit symbols of jihadist terror, such as green Hamas headbands or Hezbollah flags.
All that is over. Where there was once nuance and obfuscation, there is now brazen, explicit promotion of terrorism and jihadist violence — including against Canadians. Terror groups are being named and praised. Violence against Canadian Jews is being encouraged. And demonstrators are showing up to rallies in full militant garb; military fatigues, face coverings and even body armour. What’s more, all of this is occurring with direct police supervision and even assistance.
Below, a not-at-all comprehensive sampling of just how overt the terror promotion has gotten, and how loud the calls for violence.
A public memorial to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Mississauga
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, Mississauga Celebration Square is set to host a “vigil” for Yahya Sinwar, the late leader of Hamas and the signature architect of the October 7 massacres. A Facebook invite features Sinwar alongside the image of a Remembrance Day poppy, and invites attendees to commemorate “40 days after the Martyrdom of the leaders of Resistance fighting for Palestinian freedom.” The contact email (allheavens313@gmail.com) is the same for other anti-Israel events organized in the Toronto area, such as a 2023 Al Quds Day commemoration.
The reaction of Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish was to issue a statement strenuously devoid of condemnation for the event, stating only that “The City will not interfere with a peaceful vigil,” and that organizers could be........
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