A Montreal man has been charged with inciting hatred against Jews, following violent anti-Semitic comments made on social media.
Robert Gosselin, 55, was arrested the day after he allegedly made a death threat against Jewish children and expressed a wish to “eliminate” Jews on the Journal de Montréal’s Facebook page on Oct. 24.
“We would hope that these criminal threats will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and we are grateful to the Montreal police for its rapid and professional response,” stated Rabbi Reuben Poupko, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ Quebec co-chair.
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Gosselin is alleged to have written, in poor French, that he would “eliminate Jews by killing a whole Jewish girls’ school. That’s not a threat, it’s a promise!”
He is also alleged to have written that, “A good Jew serves as firewood,” “There is no one more anti-Zionist than me!” and “I will surely kill!”
Gosselin allegedly went on to say: “Don’t forget that an immigrant is at base an enemy who is going to vote against your values and your rights! And steal your job!”
Rabbi Poupko said that it is disturbing that these remarks were found on the Facebook page of a daily newspaper and that they remained there for 24 hours.
“We take some comfort in the fact that many readers took Mr. Gosselin to task for his hatred, demonstrating once again that the vast majority of Quebecers categorically reject bigotry and anti-Semitism,” he said.
Gosselin was charged on Oct. 26 under the Criminal Code of Canada section that prohibits inciting hatred against an identifiable group through communication that is not considered private. He is also charged with uttering threats of death or bodily harm against singer Celine Dion’s family.
If convicted of the three charges, he faces a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison.
He was released on a $500 bond and was due back in court on Nov. 6. Police spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils said the man was known to police, but has no criminal record.