Letter from Michael Teper, President CAEF, to Andrea Campbell, Chief Legal Counsel, Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) re Unlawful Demonstration and Discriminatory Slogans at Pearson Airport

Dear Ms. Campbell:

The link below contains footage of a disturbing demonstration that took place at Pearson Airport last night.

A large group of demonstrators appeared at the airport and chanted slogans inside the terminal building that included the words “Death, Death to the IDF” and “All Zionists are racists.  All Zionists are the terrorists”.  I have no reason to suspect that the footage is inauthentic.

I would humbly suggest that calling for the death of anyone in a loud voice inside the terminal of an international airport is unacceptable and contrary to Section 11.34 of the GTAA Rules and Regulations.  Please let me know if you disagree.

I would further suggest that the second slogan is discriminatory against Jews, and against Canadians of Israeli national origin.  The overwhelming majority of Jewish Canadians are Zionist, that is, they believe in the continuity of the State of Israel as an independent county as part of their core identity (an immutable characteristic). The overwhelming majority of Canadians of Israeli national origin similarly are Zionist.

Therefore, the content of these slogans, loudly chanted at a demonstration held inside the terminal building, was discriminatory and contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

What is scandalous is that GTAA airport security made no efforts to stop this unlawful and discriminatory demonstration, thereby giving the public the impression that (a) the GTAA is indifferent, (b) the GTAA is afraid of the demonstrators, or (c) the GTAA condones the demonstration and its messaging.  At any rate, the events of last night show that the GTAA is either unwilling or incapable of enforcing its own rules, and maintaining order inside its terminal buildings.

I am copying the Consulate of Israel on this correspondence because the toleration of this activity by the GTAA does have international and diplomatic implications.  I suppose the Government of Canada would be concerned if an airport abroad were to tolerate a demonstration featuring slogans calling for the death of members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

We suggest that this incident be addressed at the next meeting of the GTAA Board of Directors, and we respectfully request an opportunity to apprise the Board of our concerns.

Best regards,

R. Michael Teper

President

Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation.

426-458-7734

https://x.com/carymarules/status/2058763405792571476?s=51