What 'Massacre'? (yawn)

"The anti-racism commissioner's silence and inaction after a historic week of antisemitic terrorism in Montreal is shocking."

"Manai's response to the Molotov cocktails tossed at Jewish institutions: silence. Her response to the bullets fired at Jewish schools: silence again."

"[Instead of speaking out about the attacks, Manai] chose to share content on social networks from groups that celebrated the October 7 massacre committed by Hamas, including a group that celebrated with candy at a rally immediately after the massacre."

"We are at a crucial moment in Montreal's history. The Jewish community is under attack. [Montreal needs a commissioner] who respects our collective principles and exercises sound judgement."

Eta Yudin, Quebec vice-president, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

"We are all extremely worried about the increase in incidents and hate crimes, Islamophobic and antisemitic, which are exacerbated by the daily atrocity seen over more than thirty days in Palestine and Israel."

Bochra Manai, Montreal commissioner on racism and systemic discrimination

Bochra Manaï is seen in 2021, after she was appointed Montreal's commissioner on racism and systemic discrimination. Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette

Montreal's commissioner on racism and systemic discrimination is being called upon to resign, her exercise of the authority vested in her position called out as "inexcusable and disqualifying behaviour" in recent weeks. The commissioner herself appears unmoved by the criticism. And Mayor Valerie Plante initially declined the opportunity to comment on the controversy over her appointed commissioner. Finally the mayor did respond: 

"Municipal officials and commissioners have a duty of discretion and it is expected that it will be respected."  

"This message was delivered [to Manaï, who] will meet all the communities affected by the conflict. There is clearly a bond of trust to be strengthened."

Office of the Mayor

The antisemitic vandalism that has taken place at the city's Jewish schools and synagogues, along with Jewish-owned businesses in the city, while shocking the Jewish community and denounced by many of the province's politicians, have brought no condemnatory remarks made publicly by Montreal's commissioner Bochra Manai, whose position of trust and authority on the issue calls upon her to do just that.

The advocacy arm of Jewish federations country-wide, representing the interests of roughly 150,000 Jewish Canadians has been brought to bear on the matter. B'nai Brith Canada separately made no call for Manai to leave her position, characterizing instead her attitude to be "outrageous and unacceptable", recommending that she "bear the authority of her office to help combat the contemptible events in Montreal".

 

Reportedly, the commissioner participated in pro-Palestinian protests. Manai, given screenshots shared on social media, has been posting regularly on Instagram, on the Israel-Hamas war. She is, quite evidently, not unbiased. Since criticism for her public silence surfaced, Manai defended herself without responding directly to the calls for her to leave the post.

"As some have noticed on my social networks, I recently took part in demonstrations in Montreal in support of a request for a ceasefire", she wrote. As "a woman committed to peace, saddened by the horror of this situation", she had a duty to do so, she stated, since she is "deeply concerned" about the rise in hate crimes.

"The Islamophobic and antisemitic acts and behaviours that have been committed in recent weeks are all unacceptable and must be strongly condemned."

"Targeting Jewish schools and children with bullets is a crime that must be punished and has no place in a metropolis like Montreal. The same goes for the targeting of Muslim places of worship."

"My role as a civil servant concerns internal change and I do not have a role of public representation. I was appointed to work with the entire municipal apparatus to accelerate the transformation to an administration free of racism and systemic discrimination."

"]As such she is] committed to meeting representatives of the Arab-Muslim and Jewish communities."

When the Legault government refused two weeks ago to support a motion calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Quebec solidaire MNA Haroun Bouazzi broke down in tears.

"[Montreal has witnessed] with horror an increase of acts of incredible violence against the Jewish communities."

"The exploitation of these antisemitic acts by pro-Israel lobbies to silence the voices protesting against the ongoing genocide in Gaza is despicable."

Quebec solidaire MNA Haroun Bouazzi

"The position of commissioner calls for [someone who can] bring together and consult Montreal communities, not divide them."

"[Montreal mayor Valerie Plante must ask herself whether Manai] still has the legitimacy and moral authority to occupy this position."

Aref Salem, leader, Ensemble Montreal, city hall opposition party

People take part in a pro-Palestinian rally in Montreal on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. Photo by Graham Hughes /The Canadian Press