The restaurant chain Moxie’s has issued an apology after several employees came out of a Toronto location to show their support for the National March for Gaza on Saturday.
Independent journalist Caryma Sa’d posted a video showing several employees cheering on the protest with the caption, “Restaurant workers show solidarity with National March for Gaza.”
Moxie’s responded to the video saying “the actions of our employees do not reflect our company views.”
“We are deeply committed to a safe & respectful space for our team, guests & community. The actions of our employees do not reflect our company views. Participating in demonstrations is not permitted in uniform/on premises, and is certainly not reflective of our corporate culture,” wrote Moxie’s on X (formerly Twitter).
“We sincerely apologize to anyone impacted negatively by these actions. We ask that our team behaves respectfully & demonstrate empathy & sensitivity & can assure you that a formal investigation has been launched & appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken for all involved.
“Moxies condemns any forms of violence, and our hearts are with the innocent civilians who are suffering and those in our communities who are hurting.”
The National March for Gaza was held over the weekend in major cities throughout the country, including Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, to protest against the Israeli airstrikes which have been ongoing as a result of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
During the initial Hamas attack, more than 1,400 Israelis were killed. An estimated 5,000 Palestinians have since been killed under Israel’s counter attack, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Hamas still has many Israelis being held hostage and the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) is expected to carry out a ground operation in the coming days.
Social media reaction was largely critical of Moxie’s and the employees.
“ask them just any one single question about the history of the conflict – how many documentaries, books, lectures, interviews do we think they might have watched- listened to- read- … !? likely less a single hour.. if that !” wrote one X user.
“Entitled ppl will see no fault. Why? Freedom of speech? During work? While working you represent the company that’s paying you. Act accordingly or expect termination. Quit giving them second chances-they won’t learn. Hard lessons need to be learnt here & it’s not by coddling them,” wrote another user.
One X user pointed out Moxie’s history, starting out in Calgary in the 1980s as a deli.
“So, What will you do? As a Calgarian, I have spent many dollars at your restaurants, and it shocks me to no end, that a restaurant that started as a « Deli » serving many foods with a culinary Jewish history, could possibly have employees who cheer on the death of Jews. Shame!”
