Charges dropped against woman who pulled woman's hijab at Israeli flag raising protest
The Crown has dropped charges against a woman who was filmed pulling another woman's hijab down during a protest at Ottawa City Hall.
The Israeli flag was being raised on May 14 to mark Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's independence day. Video posted to social media showed a woman giving the finger to the camera before pulling down the hijab of a woman waving a Palestinian flag.
Police later charged the woman, 74, with assault, mischief, and harassment by threatening conduct on May 23.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
On Wednesday, Crown attorney Moiz Karimjee said all charges would be dropped.
"The Crown is obligated to consider the reasonable prospect of conviction and public interest in prosecution at every stage of the proceeding in every case," Karimjee wrote.
Karimjee described the incident as "serious offence against law and order" and said the accused pulling the victim's hijab "violated her personal safety, sense of belonging to Canada and dignity." He also noted that the protest against Israel was personal for the victim. "The victim reported that many of her friends and family were killed in Gaza," he said.
Karimjee, however, also noted that the victim was engaged in a chant that could be considered problematic.
"The victim in this case was chanting, 'From the River to the Sea Palestine will be free.' While some give this phrase a peaceful meaning, an equally reasonable inference is that it is a call for genocide of the Jewish people," he said.
"I communicated to the victim that in my view the use of this phrase was problematic in this case. As a Crown, it is my duty to assess the public interest having regard to all the circumstances. The public includes all our community. At best, even if there is another meaning for this phrase, the fact is that it is perceived by many Jewish and non-Jewish persons as being a call for genocide of Jews. It sounds counter-intuitive to protest a perceived genocide of Palestinians while using a phrase where one interpretation is a call for genocide of the Jewish people."
Karimjee noted that the accused has since apologized and has made amends since the incident, including a restitution payment, to cover some of the financial impact on the victim leaving Canada after the incident. The accused also had no criminal record and this was the first time she had ever been arrested and charged.
Karimjee also said the victim is supportive of the charges being dropped.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump suggests the U.S. should take back the Panama Canal. Could they do that?
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States 'foolishly' ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged 'ridiculous' fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
What's open and closed over the holidays in Canada
As Canadians take time off to celebrate the holidays, many federal offices, stores and businesses will be closed across the country on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.