The Trudeau government gave a $130,800 grant to an organization whose senior consultant has posted multiple antisemitic tirades.
The Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC) received the grant as part of the government’s “anti-racism” program. The senior consultant for CMAC Laith Marouf has posted a series of tweets that denigrate the Jewish community while encouraging Palestinians to resort to violence against Israelis.
“The Palestinian offer of peace to Zionists, is the same offer Saladin gave to Crusaders: -Accept equality, & you can stay unharmed. -Loot everything & leave; & we will not get in your way. -Fight us and you will die. Simple, just, and uncompromising,” said Marouf in a Twitter post.
Marouf also said that “Life is too short for shoes with laces, or for entertaining Jewish White Supremacists with anything but a bullet to the head.”
In another tweet, Marouf claimed that once “Palestine” was “liberated,” the Jewish population will be cast out from the country and will have to “go back to where they came from.”
“You know all those loud mouthed bags of human feces, aka the Jewish White Supremacists; when we liberate Palestine and they have to go back to where they came from, they will return to being low voiced bitches of thier Christian/Secular White Supremacist Masters.”
In an announcement promoting a CMAC “anti-racism” event, Marouf provided a quote for the CMAC press release as he thanked Canadian Heritage for the generous grant.
The $130,800 grant was given to CMAC by Canadian Heritage to help develop an “anti-racism” strategy for Canadian media, as CMAC argues media in Canada should take an “anti-racist” approach to cover the news.
Minister Hussen issued a statement denouncing Marouf’s comments, making clear that the government does not support antisemitism.
“Our position is clear — antisemitism and any form of hate have no place in Canada. That is why I have asked Canadian Heritage to look closely at the situation involving disturbing comments made by the individual in question.”
While the nature of Marouf’s day-to-day work with CMAC is unknown, the CMAC website and Marouf’s personal website share the same contact cell number. As of this article’s publication, the line has been disconnected.
Conservative heritage critic John Nater issued a statement expressing frustration with the government’s lack of due diligence in issuing a grant to an organization with a history of antisemitism.
“It is inexcusable that Heritage Canada and the CRTC have not taken steps to ensure government
funds are not provided to any individual or organization espousing hatred against Jewish people,” Nater said.
“I urge you to immediately take steps to verify the information that has been reported and to halt all further funding to the CMAC.”
At the time of publication, Marouf nor CMAC has responded to True North’s request for comment.
