Canadian Academic Sparks Outrage with Antisemitic Speech at Toronto Protest

A controversy erupted in Toronto's Jewish community after Abbas Hamze, an academic lecturer in Ontario, delivered an antisemitic speech at an anti-Israel rally near Bathurst and Sheppard, a central Jewish neighborhood. According to the Anti-Defamation Movement, which cited video footage, Hamze accused Jews and Zionists of engaging in "black magic" and heinous acts such as raping, killing, and eating children. He also dismissed Israel as a "fake Zionist state" established by British colonialists and claimed Jews were expelled from many countries due to their "deeds" and "black magic," reviving age-old antisemitic stereotypes.

The remarks drew sharp condemnation from Canadian Jewish leaders. Richard Robertson, research director at B'nai Brith Canada, called the public use of such classic antisemitic tropes "deliberate promotion and incitement of hatred" and urged the Toronto Police to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. Israel's Consul General in Toronto, Yadit Shamir, condemned the speech on social media, labeling the accusations as "blood libels", medieval myths historically used to justify persecution and violence against Jews. She noted that these rallies occur every Sunday near synagogues, schools, and Jewish nursing homes, prompting three national Jewish organizations in Canada to formally demand action.

Additional reports allege Hamze previously expressed support for Hamas's right to kidnap Israelis on October 7, 2023, and Hezbollah's assistance to Hamas on October 8, though these claims have not been independently verified. Toronto Police reportedly provide armed escorts for protests involving Hamze, a security measure to maintain public order, not an endorsement of his views.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions and the persistence of antisemitic rhetoric within parts of the Canadian public sphere, raising calls for stronger responses from authorities and community leaders.