Second Cup closes cafe over Nazi salute and ‘Final Solution is Coming’ slogan

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The Second Cup cafe chain has closed a store it said was linked to a Montreal franchisee who gave Nazi salutes and chanted “Final Solution is coming” to pro-Israel demonstrators.

In videos shared on social media, the woman is seen wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, black sunglasses and a medical mask that initially concealed her identity. Like during the weekend news about the incident It went viral and drew harsh condemnations from across the political spectrum, being linked to a Second Cup cafe inside the city’s Jewish General Hospital.

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Late Saturday, the company announced it was severing ties with the store, closing it and terminating the franchise agreement. “Last night, our franchisee at the Jewish General Hospital was filmed making hateful words and gestures,” the company said in a public statement posted on Instagram and X.

“This franchisee’s actions not only violate our franchise agreement, but also the values ​​of inclusion and community we stand for at Second Cup.”

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Mayor Jeremy Levi, whose Hampstead area is a suburb of Montreal, applauded the news and noted: “To all the hate-mongering terrorists, anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic people: understand this clearly; Your disgusting words and actions will not go unchecked. Your attempts to intimidate or sow division will only strengthen our resolve and unite us in purpose.”

“Your bad choices have consequences, and we will make sure they are felt.” Levi added social media post Following the announcement of the Second Cup on Saturday evening.

Idit Shamir, Consul General of Israel in Toronto, thanked Second Cup for acting quickly. “Imagine chanting ‘The Final Solution is coming’ and giving them the Nazi salute. @Concordia The Toronto-based official said while running a café at the Jewish General Hospital, which was built by Holocaust survivors. wrote In X.

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The incident took place as hundreds of anti-NATO and anti-Israel activists turned violent on the streets of Montreal, breaking store windows and burning cars. Clashes with local law enforcement led to the arrest of a handful of people, as videos showing the massive chaos went viral.

“What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was horrifying. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that we must condemn antisemitism, intimidation and violent acts wherever we see them. he tweeted the day after the riots. “RCMP are in communication with local police. “There must be consequences and the rioters must be held accountable.”

“There is total lawlessness going on in Montreal as pro-Hamas terrorist gangs, encouraged by the Trudeau Liberals, destroy the Prime Minister’s own hometown,” Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman said. wrote on social media Friday night.

“The rebels are launching a violent attack and not a word is being heard from our government. They only take action when you disagree with them. Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. I hope the concert went well,” Lantsman added, panning Trudeau’s attendance at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto that same night.

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Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre struck a similar note.

“You act surprised. The opposition leader publicly responded to Trudeau following the prime minister’s earlier statement. “And while you were dancing, Montreal was burning. We won’t let you divide us anymore. Call the election now. “We will expel you and take back our citizenship, our values, our lives, our freedom and, above all, our country.”

Images of masked protesters marching down the street with red smoke flares and joyfully breaking windows caused waves even south of the border, galvanizing the American investment mogul into action. Bill Ackman to tweet: “@JustinTrudeau needs to go.”

The violent scenes prompted the Israeli consulate to “call on the Canadian government to act decisively to stop this dangerous and anti-Semitic incitement before tragedy strikes”, calling popular protest slogans including “globalize the intifada” “not just rhetoric” but also He described it as a “call to violence”. Against Jews and Israelis “Anyone who supports Western values.”

National Post

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