"Quds Day" Protest Sparks Outrage After Speaker Calls Jesus a “Palestinian Freedom Fighter”
A week of anti-Israel protests in Toronto began with controversy after speaker Dimitri Lascaris' remarks, which were criticized for containing antisemitic rhetoric, went viral
A viral video from a controversial Quds Day protest in Toronto has drawn sharp condemnation from Jewish social media users, after activist lawyer Dimitri Lascaris described Jesus as “one of the oldest Palestinian freedom fighters of all time.”
The Viral Video Controversy
The comment, made during a rally on Sunday, March 23, which marked the beginning of a week of protests leading up to the official Al-Quds Day observance on March 28, has sparked a wave of criticism. Lascaris’ claim is part of a long-debunked narrative that attempts to portray Jesus, a historical Jew, as Palestinian. Jewish advocacy groups argue that this rhetoric is not only historically inaccurate but also part of a broader effort to erase Jewish history and undermine the legitimacy of Jewish ties to Israel.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement has previously called this a “modern manifestation of a classic antisemitic trope” that “allows anti-Israel propagandists to equate the biblical story of Jesus with the present situation of the Palestinians, or even further, argue that Jesus would today be a victim of Israeli ‘persecution’ and ‘brutality.’”
Quds Day and Its Controversial Legacy
Quds Day, initiated in 1979 by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini, is nominally about expressing solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem. However, the event has long been associated with virulent anti-Israel messaging and support for groups considered terrorist organizations by Western governments.
This week’s Toronto protest drew concern even before it began, as Jewish organizations warned of inflammatory and hateful rhetoric. B’nai Brith Canada, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and other groups had called on city officials to deny permits for the rally, citing past examples of antisemitism and incitement.
Michelle Stock, vice-president of CIJA, said “The event promotes the destruction of Israel and has become a platform for antisemitism, extremism and hate across cities worldwide.” “Antisemitism in our city is at an all-time high, and the Jewish community is understandably anxious about the potential for increased violence,” she added.
Some Canadian Officials also spoke out against the event. Kevin Vuong, a Canadian MP from Toronto, posted on X, “We have heard from Islamic leaders that Al-Quds Day is not a religious event, but a political event glorifying terrorism. No one knows their religion better than them, we should listen to them.”
Inflammatory Chants and Radical Rhetoric
The protest on Sunday featured a range of offensive rhetoric, as reported by The Canadian Jewish News. Protesters were recorded chanting “Zionism is terrorism,” “Resistance is justified,” and even “Zionism is selfish satanism.” In one instance, demonstrators shouted for Jews to “go back to Europe”—a racist trope rooted in Holocaust-era antisemitism.
A speaker from the fringe anti-Zionist Jewish sect Neturei Karta also addressed the crowd, claiming that Jews are religiously forbidden from having a homeland. Organizers reportedly advised attendees not to engage with the press, telling them that journalists “work for the Zionists.”
Lascaris’s Extremist Ties
Further fueling the controversy is Lascaris’s own history of radical political affiliations. Last month, he attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a gesture seen by some as an endorsement of Hezbollah’s actions.
Lascaris, who has long been outspoken in his anti-Israel views, has faced criticism for aligning himself with groups that are classified as terrorist organizations by Canada and other Western nations.
Growing Concerns Over Al-Quds Protests
Quds Day protests are expected to continue throughout the week in Canadian cities, but the tone has already alarmed many.
“Al-Quds Day has repeatedly served as a platform for dangerous, antisemitic rhetoric and incitement to violence,” said Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) President Michael Levitt. He added that, ”hate speech and calls for violence are not tolerated on our streets. No city should provide space for displays of wanton hate and vile glorification of terrorism.”
With tensions rising and antisemitic incidents on the rise globally, Jewish organizations are urging authorities to take a firmer stance. For many, the events of Sunday were not a protest for peace, but a troubling reminder of how quickly political discourse can slide into hate.