A suspect has been arrested after allegedly attempting to attack an Israeli tent at the Canada's Edmonton Heritage Festival on Monday, the National Post reported.
On Wednesday, social media footage showed the shadow of an individual attempting to slash the tent with a knife. The video then showed security officers detaining the suspect, as, "All Zionists are racists," is chanted in the background.
In an email to the National Post, Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, wrote that the police investigation is ongoing and she did not wish to comment yet.
She later wrote to the Post, "Immediately after the incident at the kitchen tent, dancers who were about to go onstage for the 3 p.m. show were whisked to shelter in place at the culture tent, along with staff and volunteers."
"Once we received the all-clear, they too were given a choice: perform a shortened show or not dance at all. While loud chants of 'all Zionists are racists' and 'one solution, revolution' permeated the air, they chose to dance. I cannot imagine what they were feeling inside, but I saw it culminate in a triumphant display of resolve and pride…"
Police spokesperson Nancy Carlson told the Post that the police are investigating the incident, and that no further information is currently available.
Earlier this week, the Canadian Office of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism released the Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences (CASE) report, along with a series of recommendations from the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics (NECA).
In response, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, B'nai Brith Canada, and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center issued the following joint statement:
“At a time when synagogues, Jewish schools, and Jewish-owned businesses are being shot at and firebombed, and when Jews are disproportionately the victims of hate crimes, this report makes clear that antisemitism has also taken root in our public institutions-including our universities.
“The finding that 96% of Jewish students experienced or witnessed at least one antisemitic incident, including from professors and administrators, is further evidence of what Prime Minister Carney himself acknowledged: Canada is failing Jewish Canadians.
“As organizations representing Jewish communities across the country, we call on university leaders and governments at every level to carefully consider this report and the recommendations by the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics.
“The drivers of this hatred-including antizionism-are well known, and the time to act is now. We need concrete actions to protect Canadian students."