Nasr Nasr says he and his enterprise have turn into the goal of on-line hate since a Dec. 8 occasion that includes an look by the mayor.
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An Ottawa juice bar proprietor says he inadvertently waded into the heated politics of the Israeli-Palestinian battle by inviting Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to a CHEO fundraiser.
Nasr Nasr, proprietor of Juice Dudez, says he and his enterprise have turn into the goal of on-line hate since a Dec. 8 fundraising occasion that featured an look by the mayor.
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The occasion sought to lift $10,000 for CHEO.
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“We at all times aimed to keep away from political involvement, focusing solely on elevating funds for CHEO,” Nasr wrote in a web-based plea for understanding. “Sadly, we had been unaware of the complexities tied to the Gaza scenario.”
These against his affiliation with Sutcliffe, Nasr stated, have given his enterprise poor opinions on-line, referred to as for a boycott of his juice bar and stuffed his inbox with hate.
In feedback on his latest Instagram submit, Nasr was pilloried for failing to take a public stand on Israel’s two-month army marketing campaign towards Gaza and for shaking fingers with Sutcliffe, whom some regard as pro-Israeli.
Sutcliffe has principally adopted a slim, locally-focused strategy to the Center East battle. He has condemned the Hamas terror assaults of Oct. 7 and stated that Israel has the appropriate to defend itself, however he has angered some by failing to name for a ceasefire in Gaza and an finish to the humanitarian disaster there.
“As mayor, I’m centered on the folks of Ottawa and doing the whole lot potential to maintain our group and our residents secure,” the mayor stated in a press release on Tuesday.
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Sutcliffe has met with Palestinian households who’ve misplaced family members in Gaza and in mid-October co-ordinated an effort that resulted in additional than 50 native religion leaders issuing a joint assertion denouncing all types of hate, discrimination and violence within the metropolis.
“I’ll proceed to do the whole lot I can to make sure we’re preventing again towards rising hatred and racism till our group is secure for everybody,” Sutcliffe added in his Tuesday assertion. “Each life issues. And everybody who has misplaced a liked one is struggling equally.”
Some Canadian municipalities, together with Brampton, Ont. and Burnaby, B.C., have handed motions demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims has referred to as on all Canadian municipalities to comply with swimsuit.
Earlier this week, Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard added his voice to these in search of peace. He wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Overseas Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly asking the federal authorities to assist requires a direct and everlasting ceasefire, the discharge of all hostages and the unrestricted movement of humanitarian support into Gaza.
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“I consider that, in crucial moments reminiscent of this, we have to use no matter affect now we have to face up for human rights and peace for all,” Menard wrote.
Nasr, a Lebanese-born entrepreneur, based Juice Dudez 4 years in the past and now has shops on Financial institution Avenue and Richmond Street. The shops promote smoothies, juices, desserts, waffles, crepes, gelato and occasional.
Nasr stated he had private opinions concerning the horrible scenario in Gaza, however he didn’t need politics to be a part of his enterprise.
“Our private opinions about what’s taking place in Palestine has nothing to do with Juice Dudez,” he stated. “Juice Dudez won’t ever, ever be bullied into speaking about politics. We’re right here to make folks comfortable and more healthy.”
That stand, nevertheless, has not happy his on-line critics.
“This isn’t a political difficulty like you’ve implied: it’s a humanitarian disaster,” Ibrahim Helmy advised Nasr on Instagram. “Canada as we speak helps and personally funds the ethnic cleaning of a complete nation. It’s your ethical responsibility as a Canadian and as an Arab to talk out towards this. Staying ‘not political’ is an unacceptable stance.”
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Mentioned one other critic figuring out herself as Maya: “The kids of Gaza didn’t resolve to ‘get political.’ You’ll be able to’t decide and select what’s political and what’s not based mostly in your private acquire.”
Nasr has additionally acquired many private messages of assist. Mentioned one: “I really feel so strongly about what’s taking place in Palestine, I can’t even sleep, however boycotting our personal folks with no good purpose is the very last thing we want.”
Nasr invited any of his critics to return to his retailer so he may make them a sizzling chocolate and speak.
Andrew Duffy is a Nationwide Newspaper Award-winning reporter and long-form characteristic author based mostly in Ottawa. To assist his work, together with unique content material for subscribers solely, enroll right here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe
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