Jewish leaders hope charges coming after police raid pro-Palestine activist’s Vancouver home
A prominent leader in B.C.’s Jewish community is hoping a police raid on a Vancouver home linked to a pro-Palestine group – which was recently deemed a terrorist entity by the government – will finally lead to charges.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Nico Slobinsky, vice-president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs – Pacific Region.
The VPD’s Major Crime Section and Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant on a home in the 1800 block of East 1st Avenue on Thursday.
Police said one person was taken into custody then released "pending completion of the investigation," which is being conducted under a section of the Criminal Code on inciting hatred.
The person was not named by police, but CTV News has confirmed the home that was targeted is the listed address of Charlotte Kates, a member of Samidoun, a pro-Palestinian group the federal government recently added to its list of terrorist groups.
“Ever since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas, the Jewish community in Vancouver has experienced an escalation of hate,” said Slobinky.
“Including at the hands of Charlotte Kates, Samidoun and others,” he continued.
Kates was arrested in April after praising the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel as "heroic and brave" in a speech at a rally.
Vancouver police would eventually recommend multiple hate-related charges to the B.C. Prosecution Service, but those have yet to be approved.
“Every day where charges are not laid is another day where Kates, Samidoun and others can continue to incite antisemitic violence and hatred against our community,” said Slobinsky.
CTV News asked the BCPS for an update on that probe Friday, but has not heard back.
It’s unclear whether Kates is the individual arrested in Thursday’s raid, which has yet to lead to any charges.
CTV News asked her lawyer if she was arrested again this week, but did not receive a response, and door knocks on her property went unanswered.
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fall sitting bookended by Liberal byelection losses ends with Trudeau government in tumult
The House of Commons adjourned on Tuesday, bringing an end to an unstable fall sitting that has been bookended by Liberal byelection losses. The conclusion of the fall sitting comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government is in turmoil.
2 B.C. police officers charged with sexual assault
Two officers with a Vancouver Island police department have been charged with the sexual assault of a "vulnerable" woman, authorities announced Tuesday.
Canadian government announces new border security plan amid Donald Trump tariff threats
The federal government has laid out a five-pillared approach to boosting border security, though it doesn't include specifics about where and how the $1.3-billion funding package earmarked in the fall economic statement will be allocated.
B.C. teacher disciplined for refusing to let student use bathroom
A teacher who refused to let a student use the bathroom in a B.C. school has been disciplined by the province's professional regulator.
Most Canadians have heard about Freeland's resignation from Trudeau cabinet, new poll finds
The majority of Canadians heard about Chrystia Freeland's surprise resignation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet, according to a new poll from Abacus Data released Tuesday.
Police chief says motive for Wisconsin school shooting was a 'combination of factors'
Investigators on Tuesday are focused on trying to determine a motive in a Wisconsin school shooting that left a teacher and a student dead and two other children in critical condition.
After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz Cheney
Wrapping up their own investigation on the Jan. 6 2021 Capitol attack, House Republicans have concluded it's former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney who should be prosecuted for probing what happened when then-President Donald Trump sent his mob of supporters as Congress was certifying the 2020 election.
Wine may be good for the heart, new study says, but experts aren’t convinced
Drinking a small amount of wine each day may protect the heart, according to a new study of Spanish people following the plant-based Mediterranean diet, which typically includes drinking a small glass of wine with dinner.
The Canada Post strike is over, but it will take time to get back to normal, says spokesperson
Canada Post workers are back on the job after a gruelling four-week strike that halted deliveries across the country, but it could take time before operations are back to normal.