Jewish groups are expressing serious concern, after an investigative report by the Montreal Gazette revealed evidence that a “major neo-Nazi figure” is based in the city and actively recruiting members.
Known by the pseudonym Zeiger, he is described in the newspaper’s May 3 article as “the second-most prolific writer” on the Daily Stormer, an extreme right-wing website, with a North American-wide following.
According to the report, Zeiger has been organizing meetings at various locales in Montreal over the past 1½ years, in a bid to spread his white supremacist ideology among young men.
Documentary evidence appears to show that Zeiger is a Quebecer who lives in an apartment in the Rosemont-La Petite Patrie borough of Montreal and a former information technology consultant. Zeiger himself disclosed the Outremont, Que., high school he attended in an online post.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs sent a series of tweets on May 3, saying: “Very disturbing that a senior neo-Nazi activist is operating in Montreal. Canada and Quebec aren’t immune from influence of far-right movements. That hate peddlers feel they must hide their identities shows how marginal they are.…
“Vast majority of Canada and Quebec reject hate in all forms. But we must be vigilant. Even a small group of haters can have a destructive effect. Exposing their toxic views is key to defeating them.…
“We must use full weight of the law. We’ve engaged police about this news and are confident they take it seriously, responding as necessary.”
B’nai Brith Canada tweeted that the revelations confirm what it warned of in its audit of anti-Semitic incidents, which was made public last month. The organization concluded that Quebec is “home to Islamist extremist enclaves, a sophisticated far-right scene and many of Canada’s largest anti-Israel groups.…
Even a small group of haters can have a destructive effect. Exposing their toxic views is key to defeating them.
– CIJA
“This is exactly why we suggest a national strategy to counter online hate in our Eight-Point Plan to Tackle Anti-Semitism.”
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre commended the work of the Gazette reporters in unmasking Zeiger and says it will closely monitor developments in this story.