"As far as I can tell, there was no antisemitic vandalism in any of the images that have emerged. And yet, the claim is stated as fact without qualification."
November 27, 2023
To:
Adrienne Batra, Editor-in-Chief, Toronto Sun
Dear Adrienne Batra,
On November 24, the Toronto Sun ran a front page with the headline “TDSB teacher, academics, paralegal among 11 cuffed for vile anti-Semitic vandalism at downtown Indigo store.” The charge of “vile anti-Semitic vandalism” is undoubtedly a strong one. As far as I can tell, there was no antisemitic vandalism in any of the images that have emerged. And yet, the claim is stated as fact without qualification. Jews Say No to Genocide members were part of protests calling for the release of the 11 individuals involved in the vandalism at Indigo, as they didn’t think it was antisemitic. The Jewish Faculty Network condemned the “hate motivation” accusation against protesters — the Network wrote unequivocally that “Protesting Indigo has nothing to do with Jewish identity.”
The posters were about Indigo’s CEO, Heather Reisman, who runs the HESEG Foundation for Lone Soldiers, which monetarily incentivizes foreign soldiers to sign up with the Israeli army. Reisman is also a co-founder of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which has a long history of trying to silence legitimate criticism of Israel. The protesters, by all accounts, were protesting against these specific things. There is no mention of the CEO’s identity in any vandalism.
The Toronto Sun is stoking hatred against Palestinians and their supporters by telling a blatant lie. The Toronto Sun ought to run a correction and apologize.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Director of Media Advocacy, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East