Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was unequivocal in his condemnation, demonstrating that he is a leader ready to meet the moment. Pictured: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Photo Credit: Roman Baber/X.
If pressed, most Canadians can probably say with some degree of confidence that they’ve never heard of Samidoun, an organization that self describes as “an international network of organizers and activists working to build solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in their struggle for freedom.”
The description isn’t much to go on these days. There are hundreds of third-party organizations across the country that are seeking to raise awareness for their choice of cause.
The difference between these obscure advocacy groups and Samidoun is that the latter went viral this week, throwing a massive spotlight on the organization and their antics, past and present.
To mark the one-year anniversary of the October attack by Hamas on Israel, Samidoun organized a protest at the Vancouver Art Gallery. On the steps of this historic building, footage depicts a masked woman leading the crowd in a chant, “death to Canada, death to the United States and death to Israel.”
To add to this dramatic and horrifying moment, the mob then lights a Canadian flag on fire.
The Oct. 7 anniversary was an opportunity for Jewish communities in Canada to mourn the deadliest terror attack to ever occur on Israeli soil. It also presented an opportunity for Canadians to join in solidarity and create a safe space to reflect on the lives lost in the attack.
Instead, nefarious actors hijacked the anniversary and used it as an opportunity to project hatred and call for the destruction of western and Israeli society. If the words weren’t enough, they burned to ash the foremost Canadian symbol of peace and democracy.
This should be a wakeup call to the evil and reckless abandon that is permeating our society. While some Canadians have chosen to turn a blind eye to the vitriolic and antisemitic remarks spewed at protests occurring in major Canadian cities across the country, the burning of Canadian symbols represents a visual element that is much harder to ignore.
Canada is a success story built on its people. Immigrants fleeing persecution, war or famine, chose to come to this country, build roots, and grow their families here. And for many, it is an intergenerational story that will be reflected on at the Thanksgiving table this weekend.
To let the events of this week fly as an anomaly or be dismissed as one off is a mistake.
In response to the actions of the Samidoun protest, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was unequivocal in his condemnation, demonstrating that he is a leader ready to meet the moment Canada finds itself in. In addition to refusing to pander to the entities that seek the destruction of western ideals, Poilievre declared his intent to list the group as a terrorist entity, which would end their ability to fundraise in Canada.
With these types of policies, Poilievre is signalling he will restore our country to what it once was – a society built on peace, order and good governance.
Canada needs a political leader who will show deference to these foundational principles, while rejecting the nefarious acts of those who choose to disrupt the foundations of democracy. It would appear there is a clear candidate for the job.
Josie Sabatino is a Senior Consultant at Summa Strategies, focused on providing strategic insight and helping clients meet their objectives in an ever changing and complex political and regulatory environment. Prior to joining Summa, Josie spent nearly a decade in political communications and most recently served as the Director of Communications to the Hon. Erin O’Toole, former Leader of the Official Opposition.
