What Is Happening Here | Canadaland Investigates

Episode #4: Inside the Antizionist Movement

Host: Jesse Brown (Canadaland)
Date: December 3, 2025

Overview

This episode interrogates the current wave of anti-Zionist street demonstrations in Toronto—especially those occurring at the epicenter of Jewish community life along Bathurst Street—and grapples with a central question: Where is the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism in Canada today? Host Jesse Brown explores the motivations and actions of both demonstrators and local Jewish residents, engaging directly with Moez Zaman, a spokesperson for the movement, to scrutinize rhetoric heard at protests, the intended and unintended impacts on local Jews, and the responsibility of activists to confront hate within their own ranks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Significance of Bathurst Street ([00:03]–[02:00])

• Bathurst Street in Toronto is introduced as "the most Jewish street in Canada," home to a diversity of Jewish communities, synagogues, and cultural centers.
• It has become a focal point for both anti-Zionist protests and an uptick in anti-Jewish hate crimes.
• Jesse Brown notes:

  "Bathurst street is not just the focal point for anti-Zionist protest in Canada. It's also become a focal point for anti-Jewish crime." [02:00]

2. Protest Dynamics and Community Tension ([02:00]–[05:51])

• Recurring Demonstrations: Both pro-Israel and anti-Zionist groups have held frequent, often simultaneous rallies at Bathurst & Sheppard.
• Police keep the groups on opposite sides, but rhetoric can blur lines between protests and the broader community.
• Local Jewish residents express distress about the protests’ proximity:

  "We want the anti-Israel protesters to stay away...This is a residential neighborhood. And we want you to stop coming up here and harassing the Jewish community." [03:30]

3. Interview with Moez Zaman, Antizionist Organizer ([05:51]–[41:58])

a) Framing and Understanding Protest Slogans ([06:16]–[13:17])

• Rhetoric at Demonstrations: Jesse Brown systematically asks Moez Zaman to clarify phrases used at protests.
• "Globalize the intifada":
  • Moez:

    "I 100% believe in that statement...Intifada has meant armed resistance...I believe in the legality of the armed resistance against occupation. That doesn't mean I advocate for me and my friends at Bathurst and Shepherd to pick up a secondhand Uzi and go crazy. Absolutely not. That's not what we're about." [07:32]–[08:10]

• "Go back to Europe":
  • Moez explains it as referencing Israeli Ashkenazi origins, but admits:

    "I'm not a big fan of these types of statements. Oftentimes I feel that they do more harm to our movement than good." [08:38]

  • When pressed about the racism underlying such remarks, Moez concedes:

    "Yeah, there's definitely an element of racism, an undertone at the very least to statements like that." [10:32]

• "Fake Jew":
  • Moez says it's intended as a critique of non-religious Jews or those identified with Zionism, though Jesse points out the historical inaccuracy and its potential as a slur.

b) Symbolism and Provocative Gestures ([12:35]–[15:52])

• Inverted Red Triangle: Used by Moez in protest signs.
  • Moez:

    "It's a symbol of violence. It means Israeli soldiers, people actively serving in the IDF are legitimate targets of the Palestinian resistance, which they are." [13:00]

  • Disclaims any advocacy of violence locally:

    "I definitely do not [have violent intent]. And I hope... my daughter will grow up...to fight on behalf of people who are being oppressed." [13:17]

• Hamas Glorification: On being photographed near imagery associated with Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar:
  • Moez equivocates but says:

    "I would say you have a very good case of making that [accusation]." [14:28]

• Nazi Salutes at Demonstrations:
  • Moez expresses frustration, distancing himself from such gestures:

    "It saddens me when people speak on the basis of emotion and they discredit the very noble cause that we're fighting for." [14:45]

c) Relationship Between Protest and Antisemitic Violence ([16:48]–[21:56])

• Context of Hate Crimes: Jesse details a series of violent, antisemitic incidents in the Bathurst corridor.
• Moez repeatedly condemns such attacks, insists his group isn't responsible, but at first speculates some attacks are unrelated to the Palestinian cause, which is challenged with facts.
• Debate Over Protest Location:
  • Jesse questions the choice to protest in predominantly Jewish neighborhoods instead of political targets.
  • Moez:

    "Any act of violence towards Jewish people on Bathurst should be condemned... The point is not that it's a synagogue...It's because [the synagogue] was hosting an event with Israeli real estate and law firms selling land in occupied Palestinian territory." [18:02]–[23:07]

• At Bathurst & Sheppard:

  "We are there in a counter demonstration against that type of a support for a fascist ideology [i.e., pro-Israel rallies]." [24:03]

d) Impact on Local Jewish Community ([25:47]–[32:41])

• Jesse and the interviewer point out most Jews in the neighborhood are not demonstrators but regular residents; their sense of safety is affected.
• Moez acknowledges the problem:

  "You're right, that they have no way of distinguishing between what I'm telling you right now and...some of the iconography and the symbols that are physically present." [32:10]

  • Proposes a solution:

    "End both demonstrations...and then nobody will feel terrorized. Isn't that fair?" [29:33]

  • Repeats that anti-Zionist protests are only there as counter-demonstrations:

    "If the day that stops on the west of Bathurst, we're gone." [30:04]

e) Responsibility for Confronting Hate Within the Movement ([33:02]–[36:25])

• Jesse presses Moez on whether anti-Jewish haters are actively called out or expelled.
  • Moez claims attempts are made:

    "Yes, we do try our best to kick them out...There was someone that showed up at Bathurst and Shepherd and this guy is a radical, anti-Semite, extremist. And we contacted the cops and informed them... and said, this guy is not with us, we do not want him... I have called out people in our group who said things that could definitely be construed as anti-Semitic." [35:03]

  • Asserts personal opposition:

    "I'm not here because I'm pro Palestinian. I hate that term. I'm here because I'm pro human being." [36:00]

• Both agree that community members are justified in feeling threatened when protests are accompanied by violent rhetoric or iconography.

f) Limits of Protester Responsibility and Community Impact ([36:25]–[41:58])

• Jesse highlights the lasting trauma to Jews nearby, citing school attacks and persistent fear, regardless of specific perpetrators’ affiliations.
• Moez concedes:

  "I understand your counterpoint that when you introduce these types of symbols into it...it's not unreasonable to surmise that some dude just walking his baby down the street on Bathurst might obviously associate those two things." [37:00]

• On separating ‘noble’ protest from hate:

  "If you don't want to be confused with an anti-Semite, it's not good to be standing next to a guy who's throwing up a Nazi salute." [38:59] "The guy with the Sieg Heil, that's a baboon. That's far beyond the pale." [39:27]

• On accepting unintended consequences:

  "What we can do is tell the cops this is incitement, and that person can be arrested, and they probably will be. Right. So there's only so much control that we have in this type of a situation." [40:48]

4. Aftermath and Escalation ([42:05]–End)

• Jesse reports that even after the pro-Israel demonstrators ceased their rallies, anti-Zionist protests continued at Bathurst & Sheppard, and ultimately the group marched through residential streets, directing their slogans at everyday Jewish residents.
• Recorded slogan:

  "You teach your kids how to kill babies?" [43:07–43:08]

• Resident’s plea:

  "We have nothing to do with whatever your issues are, okay?" [43:25]

• Jesse Brown closes by reflecting on the uniqueness and severity of the situation in Toronto, suggesting it outpaces even the United States in terms of antisemitic incidents tied to anti-Zionist activism:

  "There is no equivalent of this in any American city. No American Jewish neighborhood where anti-Zionists congregate to protest every week." [43:36]

Notable Quotes

• Jesse Brown on protest location & impact (to Moez):

  "You're going to a neighborhood where a targeted minority lives that is being repeatedly targeted with gunshots at children's schools...Why are you protesting in a neighborhood where so many Jewish people live? Perfectly valid question if you wish to be protesting Israel." [19:22]

• Moez Zaman on separating anti-Zionism from antisemitism:

  "I have absolutely no animosity towards Jewish people. And we have to make it clear that we are here not to support...racism. I'm not here because I'm pro Palestinian...I'm here because I'm pro human being." [36:00]

• On community vulnerability after repeated attacks:

  Interviewer: "If your kid's school had gunshots fired at it on three separate occasions, I think you have been threatened." [36:25]

• On escalation of protests into residential areas:

  Jesse Brown: "The next weekend, once again, there were no pro Israel demonstrators left...so they marched onto a nearby residential street and aimed their remarks at the Jews who live there, right at their doorsteps." [42:39]

• Resident’s plea for peace:

  "We have nothing to do with whatever your issues are, okay?" [43:25]

Key Timestamps

• The Bathurst Jewish community & protest context: [00:03]–[02:00]
• Clashing demonstrations & police tactics: [02:00]–[05:51]
• Deep-dive interview with Moez Zaman: [06:16]–[41:58]
  • Rhetorical breakdown and explanations: [07:27]–[13:17]
  • Impact of violence and symbolism: [16:48]–[32:41]
  • Movement's responsibility for confronting internal antisemitism: [33:02]–[36:25]
  • Accepting the impact on community & suggested solutions: [36:25]–[41:58]
• Escalation to residential harassment: [42:05]–[43:36]
• Closing reflections and preview: [43:36]–End

Tone

The episode maintains a balanced, investigative, and often tense tone, as Jesse Brown and the interviewer press for clarity and accountability while allowing Moez Zaman ample space to explain the movement's perspective. The dialogue is frank and unsparing on the impact of activism on community safety, with repeated acknowledgments of pain and discomfort on all sides. At all times, the focus circles back to the critical, unresolved question: When does anti-Zionist activism in Canada cross the line into antisemitism, and what is the responsibility of activists to protect vulnerable communities?

This summary covers the main arguments, notable exchanges, and relevant context from the episode, providing a comprehensive, time-coded map for listeners and non-listeners alike.