Edmonton police investigating anti-Semitic incident following pro-Palestine rally

A group of men were seen driving around a Jewish neighbour yelling, "Free Palestine," and "Are there any Jews here? Any Jews live here? Where do the Jews live?"

Many of Edmonton's Jewish residences are on edge following an anti-Semitic incident Saturday night following a pro-Palestine rally earlier in the day. Adam Zepp told Global News that while in his driveway, a car with multiple men in it drove past and yelled, "Free Palestine," later coming back to ask, "Are there any Jews here? Any Jews live here? Where do the Jews live?"

"My mother’s parents were Holocaust survivors. She’s a first-generation Canadian. I’m her son. I’m now expecting my first child," Zepp said. "To think that the great-grandchild of Holocaust survivors still needs to deal with this type of rhetoric and this type of anti-Semitism that was so prevalent back in Europe over 75 years ago, it’s sad, and it’s disheartening."

The Jewish Federation of Edmonton told Global News that Saturday evening, there was a vehicle “driving through the neighbourhood ‘seeking Jews,’ confronting people and making threats. The Federation says it notified police, and the hate crimes unit is now investigating.

The Edmonton Police released a statement saying in part, "The EPS denounces any and all acts of hate; incidents such as these have no place in our city, and we do not tolerate acts of intimidation or violence." Police Chief Dale McFee said, "At this time, it is unknown if these incidents are related to the rallies for Palestine that occurred around Edmonton this weekend. "There have been multiple pro-Palestine demonstrations across the West during the renewed tensions in the Holy Land. Along with the protests has come a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and rhetoric. "I didn’t say I was Jewish. What if I had? How would the situation have unfolded?" asked Zepp. Edmonton Police have offered no further updates on the incident.