Why the rise of Anti-Semitism in Quebec?

[jdobbin]

Sick, sick, sick.

A small explosion outside a Jewish community centre is sending a chill through Passover celebrations in the city by recalling the dramatic firebombing of a Jewish school three years ago.

Workers at the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre in Montreal's west end reported hearing an explosion late Tuesday night. "A homemade bomb exploded and there was a small fire," said police spokesperson Lynne Labelle. The crude device resulted in no injuries and what little damage it caused was washed away by Wednesday's rain, she said.

Sadly, this is not the only thing that has been happening.

In its annual audit of anti-Semitism, B'nai Brith identified a 70 per cent increase in anti-Semitic incidents last year in Quebec and a 12.8 per cent rise nationally.

"Unfortunately, this bombing is not such incredible news to the Jewish community," Slimovitch said.

http://www.bnaibrith.ca/audit2006-B.html#s43

There has been a rise of antisemitism in Canada. Thankfully, my province isn't one of them. I can't fathom someone using a bomb on community centre.

Hopefully, provincial and city politicians in Montreal and Quebec will stand up and declare that this type of terrorism will not be tolerated.

[leonardcohen]

You know the first thing that came to mind,

that it was some pur laine separatists were trying

in their own pathetic way to foment some unrest and thus drive

the ''ethnics'' out of the province,

but i immediately rescinded that thought,

because everyone knows that french-separatists

can't be racists-that is the unspoken truth-n'est pas?

[August1991]

There has been a rise of antisemitism in Canada. Thankfully, my province isn't one of them. I can't fathom someone using a bomb on community centre.

Hopefully, provincial and city politicians in Montreal and Quebec will stand up and declare that this type of terrorism will not be tolerated.

Dobbin, call this as you want.

Quebecers are an island people yet open-minded and unprejudiced by nature. Too good hearted, even superficial. As much as I dislike Montreal, I am proud to live here.

Dobbin, to answer your question: I have not known a society so open-minded, so non anti-semitic as French Quebec.

So, it's your call whether this matters. (BTW, this deplorable incident occurred far from so-called French Quebec.)

[jdobbin]

Dobbin, call this as you want.

Quebecers are an island people yet open-minded and unprejudiced by nature. Too good hearted, even superficial. As much as I dislike Montreal, I am proud to live here.

Dobbin, to answer your question: I have not known a society so open-minded, so non anti-semitic as French Quebec.

So, it's your call whether this matters. (BTW, this deplorable incident occurred far from so-called French Quebec.)

What I call it is terrorism and while you say it is far from French Quebec, there is no hiding the fact that it has been rapidly increasing during the government conversation on reasonable accommodation.

[Canuck E Stan]

There has been a rise of antisemitism in Canada. Thankfully, my province isn't one of them.

Although the violent aspect of antisemitism might be confined to Quebec, acts of vandalism in Manitoba is right behind Quebec.

Considering that the Jewish population in Manitoba is about 13,000(1.2% of the provincial population and getting smaller) and the population in Quebec is about 90,000(1.3% of provincial population also getting smaller) I would have to say you should be worried about where Manitoba is heading with antisemitism.

Jewish population in Canada

2006 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in Canada

In 2006, cases of vandalism increased by 16.1% across the country when compared with the previous year. The majority of synagogue attacks took place in Quebec and Manitoba

Examples of anti-Semitic incidents reported in Manitoba during 2006

Manitoba is far from being a model province.

[jdobbin]

Although the violent aspect of antisemitism might be confined to Quebec, acts of vandalism in Manitoba is right behind Quebec.

Considering that the Jewish population in Manitoba is about 13,000(1.2% of the provincial population and getting smaller) and the population in Quebec is about 90,000(1.3% of provincial population also getting smaller) I would have to say you should be worried about where Manitoba is heading with antisemitism.

Manitoba is far from being a model province.

It isn't a model province. However, look back at what I said. I said thankfully antisemitism has seen a decrease in Manitoba.

There were 25 cases in 2006 compared to 27 in 2005 or an overall decrease in the region by 7.4%. The number of incidents of harassment dropped from 23 in 2005 to 13 in 2006, representing a drop of 43.5%. However, vandalism increased four-fold from three to 12 cases. There were no incidents of violence in 2006, while there was one case recorded in 2005. While the 25 incidents in 2006 represent a continuing decline from the 2004 high of 55 cases, the Jewish community takes little comfort when bearing in mind that the vandalism incidents included three synagogues that resulted in substantial damage.

Vandalism of churches and synagogues has been a blight in Winnipeg in the last years.

No bombs or setting Jewish centres on fire have taken place here.

In Manitoba, some members of the First Nations have increasingly become antisemitic. I am not certain why it is happening.

In the last few years, Winnipeg has increasingly become a destination for South American Jews which has helped stabilize the population.

[Canuck E Stan]

the Jewish community takes little comfort when bearing in mind that the vandalism incidents included three synagogues that resulted in substantial damage.

I agree with their assessment of Manitoba's antisemitism.Any insignificant reduction in antisemitism is nothing to be pleased about.

What is even more alarming is the turn of the "left" to becoming antisematic.

Antisemitism and Racism

In recent years antisemitism in far left circles has become more overt, although it is frequently veiled in the language of anti-Zionist rhetoric and therefore is generally tolerated, whether on campus or in public demonstrations. Such groups often borrow from the imagery used on far right sites.....

.......In general, the far left sector continued to marginalize the experiences of the Jewish community, ignoring or dismissing the continuing high levels of antisemitic activity in Canada.

[jdobbin]

I agree with their assessment of Manitoba's antisemitism.Any insignificant reduction in antisemitism is nothing to be pleased about.

What is even more alarming is the turn of the "left" to becoming antisematic.

Antisemitism and Racism

In recent years antisemitism in far left circles has become more overt, although it is frequently veiled in the language of anti-Zionist rhetoric and therefore is generally tolerated, whether on campus or in public demonstrations. Such groups often borrow from the imagery used on far right sites.....

.......In general, the far left sector continued to marginalize the experiences of the Jewish community, ignoring or dismissing the continuing high levels of antisemitic activity in Canada.

The article also mentions the right in it.

As to what fuels the vandalism in Winnipeg, there has been an increasing problem of First Nations antisemitism. I'm not sure what is fueling it. I wouldn't necessarily think it was right or left politics. It is certainly different that the conversation on reasonable accommodation in Quebec and the anger that is being fueled against minorities.

The reductions in overall antisemitism in Manitoba was down compared to the rest of the country. Those figures are right in the heart of that article. You call it insignificant. Do you call the rise in Quebec insignificant as well?

I'm not simply mentioning Quebec as a means to trash it. I'm alarmed at the conservation on reasonable accommodation because it seems to be a green light for those who are intolerant. I'm more alarmed by violent incidents being associated with it.

I criticize antisemitism wherever I see it and do so here in Manitoba as well.

[ScottSA]

Dobbin, call this as you want.

Quebecers are an island people yet open-minded and unprejudiced by nature. Too good hearted, even superficial. As much as I dislike Montreal, I am proud to live here.

Dobbin, to answer your question: I have not known a society so open-minded, so non anti-semitic as French Quebec.

So, it's your call whether this matters. (BTW, this deplorable incident occurred far from so-called French Quebec.)

What I call it is terrorism and while you say it is far from French Quebec, there is no hiding the fact that it has been rapidly increasing during the government conversation on reasonable accommodation.

That's as ridiculous as pointing out that there's no hiding the fact that it's been happening during the warming of the weather in spring or the rising of gasoline prices. Totally irrelevant.

I don't suppose that the bomb could be Muslim in origin? Naw, that's a religion of peace. Preposterous.

[jdobbin]

That's as ridiculous as pointing out that there's no hiding the fact that it's been happening during the warming of the weather in spring or the rising of gasoline prices. Totally irrelevant.

I don't suppose that the bomb could be Muslim in origin? Naw, that's a religion of peace. Preposterous.

Region is relevant. That is why is specifically identified in the B'Nai Brith report.

What is ridiculous is to throw one of your anti-Muslim rants in here when they too have been the recipient of attacks.

I have no idea who is responsible for attacks. Are you so certain that it is Muslims? You are prepared to tar them so I suspect the answer is yes.

[Canadian Blue]

Of course they are muslims, there has never been a case in history when whites have discriminated against the Jews.

BTW: If you didn't notice I was being sarcastic.

[Canuck E Stan]

The article also mentions the right in it

The right has always been viewed as antisemitic.The left being mentioned is something relatively new.

The reductions in overall antisemitism in Manitoba was down compared to the rest of the country. Those figures are right in the heart of that article. You call it insignificant. Do you call the rise in Quebec insignificant as well?

Yes I call it insignificant. The number of cases in Manitoba were reduced of 27 to 25, in my book that is insignificant.

Harassment was reduced from 23 to 13 a reduction of 43%.That's good.

Vandalism increased from 4 to 12 cases,which included substantial damage to three synagogues.

Although the overall reduction was 7.4% it doesn't reflect the amount of the four fold increase in vandal damage that was inflicted to the Jews in Manitoba.That to me is significant.

I am talking of Manitoba only because you seem to think the reduction in antisemitism in Manitoba is something to be thankful for, I don't see that.As for Quebec,the incidents outside of Montreal are really insignificant also, since of the 226 cases,only 11 are outside of Montreal.

I criticize antisemitism wherever I see it and do so here in Manitoba as well.

Then I believe you should have stated your concerned with the four fold increase of vandalism in Manitoba

and the substantial increase in damage caused to the synagogues in that province.

In numbers of total cases in Canada (935)reported in 2006, I would be concerned with Montreal(215) at 23% of Canadian cases,rather than the province of Quebec(11).

My concern would be more with Greater Toronto(445) at 47.6% of cases in Canada.

Together these two cities account for 70.6% of the total in Canada.

Both cities that always vote heavily to the left.

[jdobbin]

Both cities that always vote heavily to the left.

Ergo, the left is doing it. Nicely done.

[Canuck E Stan]

Both cities that always vote heavily to the left.

Ergo, the left is doing it. Nicely done.

[ScottSA]

So we've established that white Muslim leftists did it. I sent our analysis off to the RCMP but they haven't got back to thank us yet.

[Bakunin]

Why the rise of Anti-Semitism in Quebec?

Is there really a significant rise of Anti-Semitism, is there more act ? are those act worst than before ?

The reasonable accommodation is such a complex debate, at first when it started i didn't fully understand why we had to debate it, at first i thought it would only make trouble, but more and more i understand. When we are talking about tolerance, its not a one way thing, we can tolerate for believes and religions as long as it make sens and as it doesn't affect the principle of democracy and equality.

People are afraid not to accomodate because they don't want to be called racist.They don't always agree or understand the accomodation but they are ignorant and afraid not to accept it.

For sample, if a native french or english quebecker would ask not to be served by a woman policeman or doctor or banker, then we would fight vigorously against him for his discrimination against the women, but if it is an immigrant then we are afraid and we are more encline to accept.

If the catholic or protestant church or a sect would ask evry women to wear the burka, then we would have riot all over the country, people would never accept this. But since its not the catholic or protestant church, since its a religion we are ignorant of, since we don't know how to deal with it, since it's come from an immigrant, we are afraid to ask them to remove the burka one or two second to be identified when they vote for an election...

There is a limit we have to find, we must promote democracy, if we start to tolerate people that are not willing to tolerate democracy and equality then we are in some serious trouble. We must not confuse individual liberty and discrimination. People should not have the right to discriminate... we have the right to criticize, we have te right to think differently but we do not have the right to discriminate.

We must not be afraid to be called racist, if we believe we are doing the right thing, that we are defending the democracy then we shouldn't be afraid...

When Don Machperson say the rise of the ADQ is a victory for the anti-semit, I totally disagree with him, i think it is a victory against anti-semitism... Because for once it mean If you are white, french, english, jewish, muslim or anything it doesn't matter, as long as you understand what is democracy and you accept that we live in a country where the man and the woman are equal...

[ScottSA]

Why the rise of Anti-Semitism in Quebec?

Is there really a significant rise of Anti-Semitism, is there more act ? are those act worst than before ?

The reasonable accommodation is such a complex debate, at first when it started i didn't fully understand why we had to debate it, at first i thought it would only make trouble, but more and more i understand. When we are talking about tolerance, its not a one way thing, we can tolerate for believes and religions as long as it make sens and as it doesn't affect the principle of democracy and equality.

People are afraid not to accomodate because they don't want to be called racist.They don't always agree or understand the accomodation but they are ignorant and afraid not to accept it.

For sample, if a native french or english quebecker would ask not to be served by a woman policeman or doctor or banker, then we would fight vigorously against him for his discrimination against the women, but if it is an immigrant then we are afraid and we are more encline to accept.

If the catholic or protestant church or a sect would ask evry women to wear the burka, then we would have riot all over the country, people would never accept this. But since its not the catholic or protestant church, since its a religion we are ignorant of, since we don't know how to deal with it, since it's come from an immigrant, we are afraid to ask them to remove the burka one or two second to be identified when they vote for an election...

There is a limit we have to find, we must promote democracy, if we start to tolerate people that are not willing to tolerate democracy and equality then we are in some serious trouble. We must not confuse individual liberty and discrimination. People should not have the right to discriminate... we have the right to criticize, we have te right to think differently but we do not have the right to discriminate.

We must not be afraid to be called racist, if we believe we are doing the right thing, that we are defending the democracy then we shouldn't be afraid...

When Don Machperson say the rise of the ADQ is a victory for the anti-semit, I totally disagree with him, i think it is a victory against anti-semitism... Because for once it mean If you are white, french, english, jewish, muslim or anything it doesn't matter, as long as you understand what is democracy and you accept that we live in a country where the man and the woman are equal...

Excellent post, shame about the name...

The ADQ is socially right leaning, so it's incumbent upon the left leaning guardians of "Canadian" political culture to dis it in any way possible. It starts with CBC's intonation that "it's a protest vote" (anything to the right of the Liberal Party is a protest vote according to the CBC, including last federal election), and then degenerates into various talking heads anticipating the trucks rolling in the night...

[ScottSA]

I don't suppose that the bomb could be Muslim in origin? Naw, that's a religion of peace. Preposterous.

What is ridiculous is to throw one of your anti-Muslim rants in here when they too have been the recipient of attacks.

I have no idea who is responsible for attacks. Are you so certain that it is Muslims? You are prepared to tar them so I suspect the answer is yes.

Well well well. Looks like Muslims did it after all.

Omar Bulphred, 21, and Azim Ibragimov, 23, appeared briefly in Quebec Court on Friday to be arraigned on charges stemming from incidents that began last fall.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...7ebf600&k=97449

[M.Dancer]

Jeffrey Boro, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said police told him the two suspects are Canadian-born Muslims of Russian descent.

Damn russians.....interesting because the neighbourhood (where I spent my late teens and early 20s) is largely Canadian Born Jews of Russian descent....or is that the other way around?

[ScottSA]

Jeffrey Boro, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said police told him the two suspects are Canadian-born Muslims of Russian descent.

Damn russians.....interesting because the neighbourhood (where I spent my late teens and early 20s) is largely Canadian Born Jews of Russian descent....or is that the other way around?

I'm sure they bombed the synagogue because they were Russian and not because of Islamic jihad. Islam couldn't have anything to do with it, because Islam is a religion of peace. Russianhood on the other hand...

[M.Dancer]

Jeffrey Boro, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said police told him the two suspects are Canadian-born Muslims of Russian descent.

Damn russians.....interesting because the neighbourhood (where I spent my late teens and early 20s) is largely Canadian Born Jews of Russian descent....or is that the other way around?

I'm sure they bombed the synagogue because they were Russian.

Could be....Russians are weird that way....conspiracy theorists, all of them.