The "Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs" CIJA association demanded the "resignation or dismissal" of the special representative concerned with combating Islamophobia, Ms. Amira Al-Jawabi, due to statements she made after the demonstration that took place in front of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
Meanwhile, a responsible source in the community told our website that "we will have a clear position if the government yields to the pressures exerted on it."

A statement issued by the CIJA association, which defends Israel, said, "This is a serious attempt to distort history by the special representative concerned with combating Islamophobia. Therefore, she must resign or be dismissed." It added, addressing Ms. Al-Jawabi, "You do not fight Islamophobia by downplaying anti-Semitism. There is a video of hundreds of protesters who stopped in front of a Jewish hospital, some of whom climbed it carrying the Palestinian flag in their hands, and a sign saying 'The hospital is calm' within sight, while their crowds shouted 'Long live the intifada' in the street below. If there was concern about the negative impact, there were many opportunities to walk quietly and respectfully. They could have changed their route, but the crowds chose to continue their protest loudly and joyfully in front of one of the most famous Jewish institutions in Toronto - an institution that has nothing to do with the Israeli government."

The association concluded by saying, "Can't she see? Or does she not want to see?"

What did Ms. Al-Jawabi say?

The special representative concerned with combating Islamophobia, Ms. Amira Al-Jawabi, commented on the demonstration that took place in front of the mentioned hospital by saying, "Hospitals and medical staff must always be safe to provide important services to patients and their families. The way of protest last night in front of Mount Sinai Hospital had a negative impact, which is concerning and wrong in a society that values freedom of assembly and the right to protest, as well as the right to feel safe."

However, Al-Jawabi said, "What is also concerning and wrong is the rush to describe the protesters as anti-Semitic and/or sympathizers with terrorists."

She confirmed that "if the police decide that any act was motivated by hate, it must be unequivocally condemned because there can be no justification for anti-Semitism."

She pointed out that "just as there should be no excuse for the indiscriminate killing of any and all innocent men, women, and children - which the protesters were already protesting against. Anyone who condemns one without the other shows us all how Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism work to devalue the lives of those considered less than human and undeserving of protection, including that provided by international humanitarian law."

She added, "Let us not forget that Canadian Palestinians who have families in Gaza watched in horror as their loved ones, friends, and neighbors were bombed, starved, displaced, mutilated, and killed over the past four months - with no end in sight to this madness. Thousands of Canadians from coast to coast of all religions and backgrounds have also witnessed the destruction due to violence and forced displacement that they see on their screens every day."

She also pointed out that "many of them have joined hundreds of peaceful protests across the country. Many reported that their voices were silenced and/or they faced repercussions for standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Meanwhile, in just the past two weeks, reports have surfaced of hate-motivated writings found on walls in an Islamic center in Cambridge, anti-Islam writings left outside a prayer room in a regional government building, and the assault and robbery of a Muslim woman in Mississauga."

Al-Jawabi asked, "Where are the condemnations for these acts? Enough with double standards. Everyone, everywhere, deserves to live in safety, dignity, and freedom."

The demonstration in front of the hospital

It is worth mentioning that there was a Palestinian demonstration passing in front of Mount Sinai Hospital where the protesters stopped and raised the Palestinian flag on one of its buildings.

However, the organizers confirmed that the hospital was not targeted and it coincides with the regular gathering route they take to reach the U.S. consulate.

The Palestinian Youth Movement and Toronto for Palestine issued a statement on February 14 regarding the protest, signed by the "Jews Say No to Genocide" association. Part of it read: "The protests marched from the Israeli consulate for four hours, ending in Young-Dundas Square, passing several buildings throughout the city,
with some participants climbing buildings and scaffolds to raise the Palestinian flag at various points." The statement added, "The narrative presented by Zionist institutions and Canadian politicians – including the Prime Minister, the Premier of Ontario, and the Mayor of Toronto – that this protest was planned and happened outside the hospital, is clearly incorrect and encourages a racist and limited view of Palestinian liberation movements; we are not in the streets to target anyone, we demand an end to the genocide and occupation of the Palestinian people. It is surprising that various media outlets that attended and reported yesterday’s peaceful protest are today publishing reports about a completely different set of fabricated events.”