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This follows a spate of bomb threats to Jewish community centres in the United States in recent weeks and months, as well as a number of incidents on this side of the border. A Jewish community centre in Calgary was evacuated Feb. 27.

“These alarming incidents, combined with similar threats targeting Jewish community centres across North America, remind us of the need for continued vigilance in the fight against antisemitism,” a statement from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) reads.

Children were “forced to flee” as a result of these threats, Benlolo said. “No community should be treated this way.”

I don’t think we can deny the (impact of) the presidential election of Donald Trump, since the election there has been an uptick in hate crimes in general

He said it’s part of a growing anti-Semitism in the west that perhaps started in Europe, but has been fuelled in North America both by the far right and by far-left movements like Israeli Apartheid Week, which is being marked on university Campuses across Canada right now.

For Benlolo, the “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS)” movement is not just against Israel but fuels anti-Jewish sentiments, but so too has the rise of President Donald Trump.

“I don’t think we can deny the (impact of) the presidential election of Donald Trump, since the election there has been an uptick in hate crimes in general,” he said. “Let us not forget, as well the contributing factors, which include university campuses, when the Jewish community is targeted through the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign and the anti-Israeli Apartheid (movement)… that is what has created the hostility among young people toward Jewish people.”