Trudeau says antisemitism rise is ‘terrifying’ after teen terror charges – National | 24CA News
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the rise of antisemitism in Canada is “terrifying” after a 15-year-old was arrested late on Friday night time in Ottawa and charged with terrorism-related offences.
The RCMP say it’s alleged the youth, who can’t be named beneath the Youth Criminal Justice Act, supposed to focus on the Jewish group and is suspected of getting explosive supplies.
“What we’re seeing, particularly right now with the rise of antisemitism linked to what’s happening overseas right now, is terrifying and it is something that we absolutely have to act on and we are acting on,” Trudeau mentioned in a year-end interview with Global News Ottawa bureau chief Mercedes Stephenson.
“The arrest on the weekend was an extremely important moment where we’re demonstrating that we are doing everything we can to keep the Jewish community in this country safe and will continue to keep all communities safe in this country.”
Many Jewish Canadians have mentioned they really feel that security is being compromised, with situations of protesters focusing on Jewish-owned companies, reminiscent of bookseller Indigo and at purchasing centres, because the Israel-Hamas battle continues.
“We will always, always defend [the freedom to protest]. The lines get approached and crossed when they are actually targeting individual Canadians who have no more responsibility for what’s going on overseas, then that they happen to be Jewish, for example. That’s unacceptable,” Trudeau mentioned.
Stephenson’s full interview with Trudeau will air on The West Block on Dec. 24.
In Toronto’s Eaton Centre on Monday, police estimate 150 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched via the mall.
A video circulating on-line seems to point out a heated trade, with pro-Palestinian protesters and Toronto cops each seen within the footage.
The video seems to point out a person together with his face partly lined who tells somebody he’ll “put you six feet deep” as a part of an extended trade in Toronto’s Eaton Centre.
The Toronto police union later posted on social media to clarify that “threats were directed to a member of the public, not police” throughout the demonstration.
“The victim chose not to pursue the matter,” the Toronto Police Association mentioned in a submit.
A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service informed Global News police had been on the scene to “keep the peace” and that the group left the Eaton Centre “without incident.” Police mentioned no arrests had been made.
Police confirmed, after reviewing the video, that the demonstrator and one other individual “exchanged words,” whereas officers stored them aside.
When requested about protests like this, Trudeau mentioned individuals who share the “legitimate aspirations for the Palestinian people” ought to “absolutely” be capable to protest, however he says there’s a line.
“Specifically making other Canadians feel unsafe, whether it’s Jewish kids on campus, whether it’s families wanting to celebrate Christmas with their kids at a photo booth and made to feel guilty because of the horrific fact that there are kids dying overseas in Gaza, is something that people can be made aware of,” Trudeau mentioned.
“But the aggressive and the underlying violence in making other people feel unsafe in this country isn’t part of free protesting, of freedom of speech or lawful protest.”
Stephenson then requested Trudeau if the police have to do one thing about this.
“I think the police need to make sure that they are arresting people who are engaged in acts of violence and who are breaking the law, whether it’s a sound ordinance or a trespassing. These are things that we do have to take seriously because they snowball,” Trudeau replied.
His feedback come as Trudeau, now eight years into the position of prime minister, faces vital stress on each home and worldwide coverage.
Two consecutive polls performed by Ipsos solely for Global News present a sizeable majority of Canadians suppose it’s time for Trudeau to step down as Liberal chief and prime minister.
A latest ballot discovered that 69 per cent of Canadians consider the prime minister ought to resign. The discovering comes after earlier polling by Ipsos for Global News performed between Nov. 14 and 17 instructed 72 per cent of Canadians felt the identical, marking a three-point lower within the sentiment however inside the ballot’s margin of error.
However, 63 per cent of respondents don’t consider it’s seemingly Trudeau will step down, and the prime minister informed Stephenson he absolutely intends on main the Liberals within the subsequent election.
“Listen, there will be an election eventually in which people get to make that choice. But I am not giving up on them. I’m not giving up on Canada. I’m not giving up on the progressive vision of progress that we’ve been fighting for every single day over the past years,” Trudeau mentioned.
The subsequent election is just not set to happen till fall 2025, assuming the Liberals’ confidence and provide settlement with the NDP holds for the rest of the time period.
In this settlement, the NDP says they’ll help the Liberals on confidence vote in trade for advancing key priorities like dentalcare and pharmacare.
— with information from Global News’ Alex Boutilier, Isaac Callan and Mackenzie Gray.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
