The English Defence League (EDL) are at it again – this time with a coordinated protest in Toronto supported by the Jewish Defence League of Canada (JDL).
In November last year I was in London, where I witnessed a protest outside “Ahava,” an Israeli skin care company who sell products from the dead sea. The protest was in support of the BDS against Israel.
Pro Palestinian and pro Israeli supporters were out in force – The one major difference I noticed was the coalition of Israeli supporters with that of the EDL. Odd bedfellows indeed, as members of groups such as the EDL generally consist of skin heads, football hooligans and racists. Groups that not so long ago actively persecuted Jews, amongst many others.
The EDL are a far right wing group who are responsible for a wave of sometimes violent anti-Islamic street protests throughout the UK. They have also reached out to other groups and individuals such as Geert Wilders, the Dutch MP whose stance on immigration and Islam is as fanatic and racially charged as they come.
The EDL have now teamed up with the JDL, who are preparing to host a joint “support rally” in Toronto next week – the EDL and JDL have seemingly found some common ground and are now united in spreading an Islamophobic message of hatred.
EDL “Jewish Division” flag – photo taken at rally in London, 2010
EDL “Jewish Division” alongside Israeli supporters at pro Palestinain BDS protest in London, 2010
