In recent days, a disturbing incident occurred in our city, shedding light on a troubling trend of rising hate in Canada, particularly antisemitism. A chalk drawing of the Star of David appeared on a sidewalk near a Portage Avenue business, leading Ramsey Zeid, the business owner, to call it a hate crime. The Winnipeg Police confirmed their Hate Crimes Unit was looking into the incident.
Zeid, a vocal protester against recent global issues, has made controversial statements online equating Jewish people with Nazis, raising questions about the intent and impact of such expressions. Yet, while this incident attracted attention, larger patterns of hate crimes continue to occur in Winnipeg and across the nation, some of which are far more sinister and destructive than a symbol drawn in chalk.
The Winnipeg Sun reviewed posts made by Ramsey Zeid, who is demanding that police investigate the chalk drawing. His posts include some very questionable statements, such as comparing Israel to ISIS and suggesting Israel is following in Hitler’s footsteps.
Hate, once left unchecked, festers and grows, emboldening those who wield it. Antisemitic symbols have recently defaced Jewish-owned buildings, only to be scrubbed off by concerned citizens like Avrom Charach, who is forced to repeatedly remove vulgar graffiti and hate-fueled messages. A sickening phrase, “Jews are killing babies,” has reappeared multiple times, reminding us that antisemitism is not just alive in our community—it’s spreading. This rise in hate, no matter how it manifests, demands a response from our government officials that is both urgent and unwavering.
The Winnipeg Sun asked the Winnipeg Police if they were investigating any graffiti shown in the photos, and they told us they had never received any reports. Police all told the Sun, “The protests are not under investigation, and the WPS has communicated extensively with the community about the Right to Protest however when criminal offences occur at any protest, then the WPS would be handling those incidents if a report is submitted or if police on scene observe these offences. How can these absurd and inexcusable claims not be investigated as hate crimes, yet a Star of David drawn in chalk is? Shame on our weak political leaders.
Protests targeting specific communities, in spaces where community members live, work, and worship, have become routine, such as the gathering on the corner of Grant Avenue and Abinojii Mikanah, close to a signage where worshippers pass on their way to services. For a city once known for its inclusive and diverse fabric, these protests, which now target specific demographics, signal a fracture in our community cohesion. What is the cost of having three or four Police Units on the scene to taxpayers every Saturday? But the burden on public funds is only part of the issue; the burden on the community's psyche is far more significant.
According to B’nai Brith Canada, Canada’s longest-standing Jewish human rights organization, there were 5,791 reported incidents of antisemitism in 2023—an all-time high, marking a staggering 109% increase from the previous year. Even more alarming, acts of violence against Jews have spiked by 208%. These aren’t just statistics; they’re reflections of an environment increasingly hostile to the Jewish community and others. This surge in hate crimes tells a chilling story of a country drifting away from its values of tolerance, inclusion, and respect for all faiths.
Yet, amid this rising tide of antisemitism, our provincial government recently announced the formation of an anti-Islamophobia working group for the K-12 school system. While addressing Islamophobia is undeniably important, one cannot ignore the current reality: antisemitic hate crimes are skyrocketing, creating an atmosphere of fear for the Jewish community. As Gerard Filitti, a senior lawyer with The Lawfare Project, aptly noted, the government’s decision to focus on Islamophobia amid an antisemitism crisis in Manitoba is staggeringly tone-deaf. We can and must protect all communities without sidelining the very real, escalating issue of Jew-hatred.
It’s important to note that Winnipeg has not seen anti-Muslim protests, and this is something to be proud of. Our city has maintained a respectful stance toward the Muslim community, demonstrating that hate need not be reciprocated. But our commitment to inclusivity cannot be selective. When antisemitism is allowed to proliferate unchecked, we send the message that hate is permissible as long as it doesn’t target certain groups. This sets a dangerous precedent that betrays the fundamental values of Canadian society.
The government’s response to the trucker protests earlier this year demonstrated that swift action is possible when deemed necessary. By invoking the Emergencies Act, officials showed they could mobilize quickly to quell what they saw as a threat to order and safety. Yet, when it comes to protecting communities against hate and misinformation on our streets, a troubling passivity prevails. Where is this same decisiveness now? Why is there no similar urgency to address the spread of dangerous ideologies that incite violence, segregation, and fear? Allowing hate to seep into our communities, either through speech or through action, sends the wrong message about Canada’s commitment to justice, equality, and security for all.
Winnipeg, like much of Canada, has long been a refuge for immigrants of every faith and background. People come here to escape prejudice and persecution, seeking a life of peace and opportunity. But as issues from around the world spill onto our streets, there is an unfortunate tendency for hate-filled ideologies to follow. Protestors against global issues have taken their grievances to the sidewalks of Winnipeg, sometimes crossing the line from legitimate protest into outright hate speech. We cannot and must not allow these imported disputes to turn our communities into battlegrounds.
But what happens now, given the BBC report on the publication of Dr. Salman al-Dayah’s fatwa, which could be a turning point in the broader conversation about Hamas’s actions and the group's use of religious rhetoric. As a respected authority in Islamic jurisprudence, Dr. Dayah’s legal opinion carries considerable weight among Gaza’s predominantly Sunni Muslim population. His detailed critique, accusing Hamas of violating fundamental principles of jihad, directly challenges the religious legitimacy Hamas often invokes to justify its violent operations against Israel. By emphasizing that jihad must be conducted with clear moral and legal conditions, Dr. Dayah’s ruling undermines Hamas’s narrative and questions the ethical basis of the group’s recent attacks, including the deadly incursion into southern Israel on October 7.
This unexpected rebuke weakens Hamas's influence, as many supporters may now question whether the group's militant strategies align with true Islamic teachings. For political leaders in places like Manitoba, the fatwa may provide an opportunity to adopt a firmer stance against protests that have veered into promoting violence and hate. Silence in the face of escalating antisemitism and support for terrorist acts only deepens community divisions and sows fear. It’s time for leaders in Manitoba to respond to this new information with decisive action, openly condemning demonstrations that cross the line from free expression into dangerous incitement, and reaffirming their commitment to a safe, inclusive society.
There must be a clear line, drawn by our officials, distinguishing free speech from hate. Hate speech and incitement to violence are not protected rights. Community safety and social harmony demand that we recognize this line and enforce it. Every time hateful rhetoric or vandalism is tolerated, it chips away at the sense of security all citizens should feel. For every swastika painted on a synagogue, every derogatory slur aimed at someone walking to a place of worship, and every protest that targets people because of their ethnicity or religion, a bit of our shared humanity is lost.
Enough is enough, government officials at every level—municipal, provincial, and federal—need to step up and address these crimes for what they are: attacks on the very values that bind us together. Tougher hate crime laws, swift law enforcement responses, and sustained educational initiatives must be prioritized. The time for lip service has passed; only concrete action can repair the trust that is being eroded day by day.
We must remember that Canada’s identity as a welcoming nation is not a given—it’s a choice we must make and defend. Our children and grandchildren should inherit a country that lives up to its promise of equality and safety for all. Government officials must act decisively to put a stop to the proliferation of hate crimes, big and small, so that we may protect that promise.
Strong and unwavering leadership will make Canada a beacon of hope and unity, not a sanctuary for hate. Our leaders must ensure that Canada remains true to its highest ideals and that all who call it home feel safe, respected, and valued.
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