The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg has taken issue with a social media account that attacks local politicians for their support of Israel, saying it crosses the line into hate.
The Instagram account has posted photos of Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, Premier Wab Kinew, Winnipeg South Centre Liberal MP Ben Carr, and city Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Garry – Fort Rouge), emblazoned with the word “Zionist.”
The posts criticize their public support of Israel and deem the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which killed about 1,200 Israelis and sparked Israel’s invasion of Gaza, a “prison break.”
Israel’s invasion has since killed about 43,000 Palestinians — estimates vary about the number of civilians versus combatants killed — per the United Nations.
“The… account isn’t about advocating for Palestinian rights; those behind it are organizing a campaign of hate against Jewish people,” said Jewish Federation of Winnipeg CEO Jeff Lieberman.
“Targeting public figures and individuals for their support of Israel crosses a red line. Everyone deserves the freedom to support a secure Jewish state without facing intimidation.”
Lieberman said “Zionism isn’t a dirty word” or an extreme ideology.
“It’s simply the belief that Jewish people, like any people, have the right to self-determination and a homeland,” he said.
Carr echoed that Zionism means a belief in Jewish people’s ancestral roots in the land of Israel and a Jewish homeland to exist, adding it does not necessarily mean agreeing with the Israeli government of the day or its actions.
He said some critics fail to distinguish the difference.
“Right now, there is a significant degree of division that exists in our community. Much of that is fuelled by trauma and concern over world events, specifically the Middle East,” said Carr. “However, some of it is fuelled by hate.”
“To suggest that because one believes that the state of Israel should exist, therefore equates to them being supportive of the loss of innocent civilian life, is contributing to a rise in antisemitism and division.”
He said he hopes the community can meet and engage in constructive conversation to create peace.
The other politicians mentioned on the account did not comment.
Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba, said he doesn’t know much about the social media account, but it legally criticizes politicians, suggesting those who take issue with it to report it to the social media platform.
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