MONTREAL — Yves Engler, a fringe anti-Israel activist running to lead the federal NDP, has called for the prosecution of Hampstead mayor Jeremy Levi, a Jewish elected official known for his strong and unapologetic support for Israel. The demand, embedded in Engler’s campaign platform, has sparked sharp backlash from Jewish leaders and members of Canada’s pro-Israel community.
Mayor Levi, who leads one of Canada’s most Jewish municipalities, responded forcefully. “When a Jew unapologetically stands up for Israel, the NDP doesn’t debate you, they want you in handcuffs,” he posted on X. Levi called Engler’s campaign promise “absurdity,” underscoring what many see as a dangerous escalation of anti-Israel rhetoric masquerading as progressive politics.
Engler, who was nominated on July 3 by the NDP Socialist Caucus, is positioning himself on the radical left of the party. His platform calls for an end to Canadian arms exports, dramatic cuts to the military, and what he describes as holding officials accountable for “polarizing” statements, a thinly veiled reference to elected figures who support Israel’s right to defend itself.
The targeting of Mayor Levi stems from remarks he made in early August defending Israel’s right to reclaim full control over Gaza in the face of ongoing rocket fire and terrorism by Hamas. Critics, including Engler, distorted his comments as incitement, with Engler declaring publicly that Levi “should be charged for inciting genocide.”
Levi’s comments were not outliers but part of a clear, moral stance rooted in the principle that democracies like Israel must defeat genocidal terror organizations. Levi has consistently voiced support for Israel’s right to self-defense and national security, positions widely shared across Canada’s Jewish community.
Engler’s legal record undercuts his credibility. In February 2025, Montreal police arrested him and charged him with harassment and indecent communications targeting a Jewish pro-Israel commentator. He claimed his conduct was political speech, but Jewish leaders called it part of a broader pattern of obsession with and hostility toward Zionists.
Engler has framed his campaign as a movement for “systemic change,” railing against what he describes as Canada’s complicity with Israel. At his campaign launch, he appealed to those who reject Canada’s alignment with the Jewish state to support his leadership. His candidacy has drawn criticism for turning the NDP leadership race into a platform for demonizing Israel and its Jewish defenders.
Mayor Levi, meanwhile, continues to champion the values of moral clarity and Jewish resilience. He has openly condemned Hamas terrorism, affirmed Israel’s right to self-determination, and stood firmly with the Jewish state amid rising antisemitism in Canada and abroad.
For Jewish and Zionist Canadians, this moment is revealing. It highlights the disturbing normalization of anti-Israel animus in corners of Canadian politics, where calls to prosecute Jewish leaders for supporting Israel are no longer taboo.
Whether the NDP ultimately embraces or rejects Engler’s campaign will be a test of its moral integrity. Candidate nominations officially open in September, with voting expected to conclude by March 2026.
This article is based on verified information from the Canadian press, Yves Engler’s statements, Hampstead municipal records, and public legal references.
I love ❤️ Israel