Premier Wab Kinew’s decision to attend an Iftar dinner hosted by Ramsey Zeid, the president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM), is nothing short of an endorsement of antisemitism. This is not a simple case of a political leader engaging with different communities. This is the Premier of Manitoba standing shoulder to shoulder with a man who has spent years glorifying Hamas, spreading anti-Israel propaganda, and demonizing the Jewish community. It is a shameful and indefensible act that raises serious questions about Kinew’s judgment, integrity, and true stance on antisemitism.
The event, attended by figures like NDP MP Leah Gazan, who sat next to the Premier proudly wearing a keffiyeh—a symbol of Palestinian resistance and anti-Israel sentiment—was a display of open hostility towards Manitoba’s Jewish and Israeli communities. It wasn’t just an Iftar; it was a political statement drenched in antisemitism.
Ramsey Zeid has long been a figure of controversy in Winnipeg, but to those who follow his activities closely, there is no ambiguity—he is a Hamas and Hezbollah cheerleader. His social media activity is rife with anti-Israel rhetoric, outright lies about the Jewish state, and posts that glorify Palestinian terrorist organizations responsible for the murder of innocent Israelis.
Since Hamas’s barbaric October 7 massacre—an attack that saw 1,200 Israelis slaughtered, women raped, and children kidnapped—Zeid has repeatedly attempted to justify the atrocities. Instead of condemning Hamas, he has used his position as the leader of CPAM to incite hatred against Jews in Manitoba under the guise of “Palestinian advocacy.”
CPAM’s weekly rallies have become a breeding ground for antisemitism, where speakers vilify Israel for defending itself and encourage a generation of young people to adopt extremist views. One of the most disturbing examples is the indoctrination of children, who have been recorded leading chants like, “All Zionists Are Racist”—a phrase that barely disguises its true intention: the vilification of Jews.
Zeid’s antisemitic incitement is not subtle, nor is it new. He has stood by while protestors at CPAM events have openly celebrated Hamas’s terrorist acts, spread blatant lies about Israel, and created an atmosphere of fear for Jewish Manitobans. And yet, despite this clear record of antisemitic agitation, the Manitoba government under Premier Kinew saw fit to honor CPAM with an award at the Legislature, handed to Zeid by NDP MLA Tyler Blashko.
What message does this send to Manitoba’s Jewish community? That their concerns are meaningless? That antisemitism is tolerated—even celebrated—by the provincial government?
Seated next to Premier Kinew at the Iftar was NDP MP Leah Gazan, draped in a keffiyeh—an unmistakable symbol of Palestinian nationalism and resistance. Gazan is well known for her relentless anti-Israel bias, having made repeated inflammatory statements that demonize the Jewish state and downplay Hamas terrorism.
Gazan has falsely accused Israel of “genocide” while remaining silent on Hamas’s real war crimes. She has refused to condemn the October 7 massacre, choosing instead to focus her energy on attacking Israel’s right to defend itself. Her presence at this event alongside Kinew and Zeid further highlights the deep antisemitic rot that has taken hold in certain segments of the NDP.
Her appearance at the Iftar was not an accident; it was a deliberate show of solidarity with CPAM’s campaign of hate against Israel. And Kinew, by his very presence, has validated her stance.
Premier Kinew cannot claim ignorance. He cannot pretend that this was an innocent act of cultural outreach. He attended an event hosted by a man who has spent years spreading anti-Jewish hate. He sat beside an MP who has repeatedly attacked Israel and defended Palestinian terrorism. His government awarded a group that spends its time demonizing Jews and glorifying violence.
What kind of message does this send to Manitoba’s Jewish community? That their safety is negotiable? That their fears are irrelevant? That their concerns come second to appeasing an antisemitic faction that supports Hamas’s agenda?
The decision to attend this Iftar and to honor CPAM is not just an insult—it is a betrayal. Jewish Manitobans, many of whom have family and friends still suffering from the horrors of October 7, are being told by their own government that their pain does not matter. That their voices do not count. That the Premier of Manitoba has no problem legitimizing an antisemitic organization that spews hate and glorifies terrorism.
This is a disgrace.
Kinew owes Manitoba’s Jewish community an immediate and unequivocal apology. He must condemn Ramsey Zeid, retract the award given to CPAM, and make it clear that there is no place for antisemitism in his government.
Until he does, he has made his position clear: he stands with those who hate Jews, not with those who fight for their right to live in safety and dignity.
This is so outrageous. Kinew should be sent examples of Zeid’s many malicious, mendacious, and disgusting Facebook posts and see what his reaction is.