The Toronto Synagogue Protests Are Not Antisemitic
The Claim
Pro-Hamas protesters attacked a synagogue in Toronto out of antisemitism.
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Emerging story
Social media users recently shared a claim alleging that pro-Hamas protesters gathered outside a synagogue in Toronto. The act was allegedly caused by antisemitism.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading. The protest was not antisemitic, and the protesters were not antisemitic.
The Protests in Front of The Synagogue Were Against Illegal Land Sale
An event in Thornhill, Canada, at Aish Hatorah synagogue on March 3, 2024, has stirred controversy by offering land in in the West Bank for sale.
The event was exclusive to the Jewish community, with some individuals being denied entry, as can be seen below.
The land in question is in Modi'in Illit, a settlement on land that belonged to Palestinian villages, which the international community considers illegal. The sale of properties only to specific groups has also raised legal and ethical concerns. Calls for accountability have been directed at officials and institutions, highlighting the need for a response to these allegations.
The Jewish community has also expressed anger and concern about the sale of Palestinian properties, as can be seen below.
U.S. Reaffirms Stance on Israeli Settlements as Illegal, Breaking from Trump-Era Policy
The United States has officially declared new Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories as "inconsistent" with international law, marking a significant shift from the previous administration's stance. This announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken came in response to Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's plans to construct over 3,300 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, which Blinken described as "disappointing."
This move aligns with long-held policies across both Democratic and Republican administrations, viewing such settlements as detrimental to the pursuit of lasting peace in the region. Despite the clear opposition, no specific consequences for Israel's settlement expansion were outlined.
This stance against settlement expansion reverts to the traditional U.S. perspective, directly opposing the so-called Pompeo Doctrine introduced during Trump's presidency, which supported the legality of Israeli settlements. The global community, including allies like Germany, continues to view these settlements as illegal and a further extension of Israeli occupation. Amidst increasing tensions and violence in the region, this U.S. declaration underscores the complexities of achieving peace and the international community's ongoing struggle to address the contentious issue of settlement expansion.
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