Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Trudeau silent about attack on Jewish teens
The right to remain silent was likely never intended to apply to the prime minister after an alleged anti-Semitic hate attack in the heart of a Jewish neighbourhood in Toronto.
This silence from the very top is difficult to not notice.
Some are expressing concern about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's lack of condemnation, or even comment, on the horrific alleged hate attack on four Hasidic teenage boys who were hit with fists, boots and racial slurs, which included being told "Hitler is coming back."
The Nov. 11 attack, near Fairholme Ave. and Bathurst St., has upset some who have strongly spoken out against such an inhumanity against four young men — two of which are Americans visiting Canada from the United States to attend the special Yeshiva school to study Hebrew and the Torah.
Federal Conservative and Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer tweeted Tuesday: "Troubling to hear of the attack on Jewish teens in Toronto. Anti-Semitism will never be tolerated and I hope the culprits of this hate crime will be swiftly brought to justice."
This followed tweets Monday from Premier Doug Ford who added: "There is no place in Ontario for anti-Semitism and our government will not tolerate hatred of any kind." Mayor John Tory tweeted: "No one should ever be attacked for their religion. Please help @TorontoPolice solve this hate crime/robbery investigation that occurred Sunday night."
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders also spoke out against the alleged hate crime. HIs officers have charged one youth with robbery and assault. Toronto Police spokesman Katrina Arrogante said it "is still categorized as a hate crime/robbery" as they search for nine more.
Video surveillance is being reviewed. Police have not issued descriptions but two of the alleged victims describe the suspects as being of Asian descent.
So what has Trudeau said or tweeted about this alleged hate crime?
Nothing.
But the prime minister, who has been quick to comment on racial attacks in the past, has since Sunday been tweeting about other things, including his current meetings with leaders in Singapore and having some fun commenting on some new Canadian children, originally from Eritrea, delightfully getting their first taste of snow to which Trudeau joked in a tweet: "Now convince them that shovelling is fun and you're all set."
It's a terrific response to a special Canadian moment. But on this darker Canadian incident, his lack any rebuke of such horrific actions toward four kids wearing kippahs and fedoras is difficult to miss.
Jewish Defence League Canadian Chapter National Director Meir Weinstein said it "sends" a terrible message.
"I am very disappointed that the PM has remained silent regarding the recent violent, anti-Semitic attack against Jewish teens in Toronto," said Weinstein. "The lack of response seems to be a double standard. I remember the reaction of the PM regarding the young Islamic girl who falsely claimed that her Hijab was cut in a racist attack."
I reached out to the PMO Tuesday to comment on a variety of things, including the current attacks on Israel and the local beating of the four Jewish teens, and did get a message back from the media office in Ottawa.
"On the hate crime probe in Toronto in the Jewish teens on way to school? (Public Safety Minister Ralph) Goodale's office would be best place to answer this," said polite spokesperson Matt Pascuzzo.
Seems on this one, the prime minister is going to remain silent.
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