Toronto (July 6, 2020) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) commends Ontario Premier Doug Ford for publicly speaking out against the antisemitic behaviour of Toronto company Foodbenders - which is continuing to defend its hateful messaging despite outcry from the Jewish community - and has urged other local politicians to join the public condemnation of the antisemitism promoted by the company.
The local political leaders FSWC has reached out to include Toronto Mayor John Tory, City Councillor Ana Bailão, MPP Marit Stiles and MP Julie Dzerowicz.
Foodbenders, located on Bloor street in Toronto’s west end, has stated on social media that “Zionists” are not welcome on its premises; “Zionists are Nazis”; Jewish groups “control your media and elected officials”; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a “Zionist puppet” and that the only solution to these problems is “Intifada. Revolution.” The company has also promoted anti-Israel terrorist slogans and has glorified terrorists, including convicted plane hijacker Leila Khaled.
FSWC also commends Uber for terminating its contract to deliver foods for Foodbenders, a development announced today on the company's Instagram page. FSWC has contacted DoorDash, another company that delivers for Foodbenders, asking it to join Uber in cutting all ties with the company.
“Foodbenders' blatant antisemitism is not kosher,” said Rabbi Meyer May, Executive Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. “We applaud Uber’s principled decision to stand firmly against Foodbenders' overt antisemitism and urge DoorDash not to be far behind."
“The blatant antisemitism promoted by Foodbenders is totally unacceptable and must be rejected unequivocally by all community and political leaders,” said Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, Director of the Campaign Against Antisemitism at FSWC. "Politicians are obligated to ensure the communities they represent remain safe, welcoming and free of the hatred of the likes we have seen coming from Foodbenders."