"Jews rape and eat children": antisemitic speech in the heart of Toronto's Jewish community

An anti-Israel rally in the center of Toronto's Jewish neighborhood sparked a sharp reaction from the community after speaker Abbas Hamzeh, an Ontario educator, publicly accused Jews of "black magic", rape, and child-eating. The Anti-Defamation League and B'nai Brith Canada condemned this as incitement to hatred. Israeli Consul General Idit Shamir recalled the medieval blood libel.

An anti-Israel rally in the center of Toronto's Jewish neighborhood (Canada) sparked a sharp reaction from the local Jewish community after one of the speakers publicly accused Jews and Zionists of "black magic", "rape, murder, and child-eating". This came to light on Tuesday, August 25. According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League, based on a published video, the speaker was Abbas Hamzeh, described as an educator in Ontario's educational institutions. Hamzeh is also attributed with statements against the very existence of Israel, which he called a "false Zionist state" created by "British colonizers". Richard Robertson, director of research at B'nai Brith Canada, called this a deliberate incitement to hatred and urged Toronto police to investigate. Israeli Consul General in Toronto Idit Shamir noted that accusations of Jews murdering and eating children refer to the blood libel—an antisemitic myth spread in Europe since the Middle Ages. According to Shamir, such actions take place in this area every Sunday, including near Jewish synagogues, schools, and nursing homes. Three national Jewish organizations in Canada officially demanded action. Other publications also attributed to Hamzeh support for Hamas's right to kidnap Israelis on October 7, 2023, and Hezbollah's right to come to its aid on October 8. It was reported that Toronto police provide armed escort for demonstrations involving him.