NCCM condemns anti-Semitic vandalism in GTA

-For Immediate Release-

(Ottawa – July 24, 2014) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) condemns the recent anti-Semitic vandalism in Thornhill.

According to media reports, a swastika and the word “F–k Israel” were spray painted on a bus shelter, which is situated in the predominantly Jewish neighbourhood. This attack comes just days after a similar incident targeting a mosque in the area with anti-Muslim and anti-Arab graffiti.

In a statement, NCCM Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee says:

“The NCCM stands with our fellow Canadians in unequivocally denouncing this act of hate and intimidation.

“These incidents appear to be brought on by an overseas conflict and exacerbated by our government’s one-sided and uncritical support of Israel’s military attacks which appears to be jeopardizing the safety of Canadian Muslims, Arabs and now Jews.

“We believe that the government has a responsibility to tone down its rhetoric around the current conflict in the Middle East and speak out clearly against these latest attacks on Canadian Muslims and Jews. We hope the perpetrators of these acts will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit grassroots organization that is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

CONTACT: Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director, 613.254.9704 or 613.853.4111

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