I didn’t know whether to laugh at the sheer gall of would-be federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh or to cry at how easily the oppression handwringers rushed to condemn someone as racist for merely expressing her right to free speech.

I’m talking about the woman, Jennifer Bush, who attended a recent Singh meet-and-greet where she dared question him about his support of Sharia law and M-103, the controversial federal motion passed in late March which condemns Islamophobia and all forms of systematic racism.

Subsequent to that, Singh posted a response on social media that included these gems:

“I didn’t answer the question (meaning Bush’s question) because my response to Islamophobia has always been ... that ‘hate is wrong’.”

His response gets even better: “Once we say it’s OK to hate someone based on their religion, we’re also opening the door to hate based on race, gender, sexuality and more ... it’s important that we stand united against all forms of hate.”

I repeat: Singh said “it’s important that we stand united against all forms of hate.”

I frankly don’t care whether Singh is Sikh or Muslim. What I do care about is his highly selective definition of hate and his double standard when it comes to free speech.

Evidently the deputy leader of the Ontario NDP didn’t feel the least bit compelled last December to “stand united” with all members of the Ontario legislature against the hateful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Singh was not only one of the few MPPs to vote against Motion 36, which rejected the differential treatment of Israel, including the BDS movement.

He also spoke out against the motion, using the predictable weasel words employed by the left (particularly politicians on the left) that any such motion would impact on the “free expression of dissent.”

Well hello! Mr. Singh, what do you think M-103 is all about and what do you think you’ve done in the past few days by reducing Bush’s legitimate questions to “hateful and Islamophobic” comments — a depiction absolutely lapped up by the left-wing media?

That notwithstanding, BDS — which selectively targets Israel with economic sanctions and boycotts — is nothing more than anti-Semitism and intolerance towards Jews shrouded in the guise of the criticism of Israel, the Jewish state.

Toronto’s Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre recognizes that as does B’nai Brith, as did most of those who voted in favour of MPP Gila Martow’s motion last December.

Evidently, Singh’s call to be “united against hate” didn’t apply, either, last summer when he sponsored a press conference in the Queen’s Park media studio held by assorted anti-Israel activists and 9/11 Truthers in support of Mississauga Catholic teacher Nadia Shoufani — who was suspended from her duties after making inflammatory comments about Israel at the 2016 anti-Israel hatefest, the Al Quds Day rally.

In fact, at that press conference, when I suggested that the anti-Israel remarks of those who spoke were hateful, my right to free speech was attacked and jeered — those insults continuing after the press conference was over.

I don’t recall Singh standing up against the hate spewed at me that day. I suspect, like most polticians, Singh simply hoped that no one would notice he sponsored those hatemongers.

When I tried to reach out to Singh’s federal leadership campaign office Monday to give him an opportunity to comment, I was told at first that he would “not be available” in time for my deadline and was referred to the social media statement I already had.

When I pressed further, I was informed an “interview can’t work out” and was thanked for reaching out.

So pleased to learn that Singh is not only a hypocrite and highly selective about who he feels deserves not to be oppressed but a coward as well.

SLevy@postmedia.com