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Vancouver (October 1, 2024) – On September 29, at approximately 7:15 p.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery, a protest organized by Samidoun led to an attack on a young Jewish female by an individual screaming, “F—king Jew.” The community member was subjected to antisemitic slurs and sustained injuries requiring medical attention after being assaulted and knocked to the ground.

Today, the Vancouver Police Department announced that an arrest was made related to the incident. In response, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center released the following joint statement:

“Our community is relieved that the young woman is recovering from her injuries. No one should face violence because of their identity, but this threat is a sad reality our community faces daily.

“We are grateful to the Vancouver Police Department for deploying officers, making an arrest, and investigating the incident as a hate crime.

“What is clear is that allowing protests where hate is preached freely to continue without intervention will lead to more violent attacks. We call on our provincial and federal governments to ban Samidoun and immediately add it to the list of terrorist entities.”

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About the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada. CIJA is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and protect Jewish life in Canada through advocacy and to advance the public policy interests of Canada’s organized Jewish community.

About the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver is the central planning, convening, facilitating, and fundraising organization for the local Jewish community. Through the Federation Annual Campaign, special project funding, and the Jewish Community Foundation, the Jewish Federation generates the funds needed to meet community needs today, tomorrow and for years to come. Jewish Federation works collaboratively with more than three dozen partner organizations, unifying their work. Together, we touch the lives of thousands of community members locally, in our partnership region in Israel, and around the world.

About Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center
Established in 1989, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is one of Canada’s leading human rights organizations combatting antisemitism and all forms of hate. Through its extensive advocacy work and education programs teaching the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, FSWC promotes the principles of tolerance, social justice and democracy.