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Talk about sick.
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For the second time in a few months, officials at Toronto’s SickKids Hospital have placed a staff member on leave while they investigate allegations of supporting Hamas and creepy anti-Semitic words that would be considered ugly in any setting, let alone a place that is supposed to be focused on treating children.
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Last time it was a doctor. This time it’s an interfaith clergy member.
We thank and credit Rick Firth of Honest Reporting Canada for bringing this situation to light.
Speaking at Palestine House, Imam Ayman Al Taher was praising Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and his prediction “by 2027 Israel will not exist.” He went on to say, “We know how Allah has honoured him. Four rockets. I’m not sure how many millions each rocket cost to give him an honourable martyrdom.”
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The imam knew what he was saying was out of line, but said it anyway.
“I know I am going to get myself in trouble now for speaking on social media,” he was quoted in the Honest Reporting Canada story as saying. “Who cares, because if we do not get ourselves into trouble, we will not be getting victory.”
Imagine the level of treachery one would have to conjure to celebrate Hamas – the architect of the barbaric slaughter of 1,200 Jews on Oct. 7, 2023.
SickKids is having none of it and has taken action.
In a statement, the hospital said, “Concerns about comments made by a member of the Spiritual and Religious Care Department at SickKids related to the war in Israel and Gaza and shared on social media have been brought to our attention.
“We of course take this extremely seriously and are investigating as per SickKids’ Code of Conduct. The individual is on a paid leave while we investigate.”
The Sun has reached out to the imam for any comments he would like to make and will add those to the coverage, should he decide to answer.
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Meanwhile, it is interesting how someone like Don Cherry is cancelled right away for his “you people” comment about not wearing poppies on Remembrance Day, without any hearing, but there is such kid gloves used on those who spout anti-Semitic hate.
There seems to be a different standard applied to those who spout anti-Jewish hate.
Back in November, SickKids also put on paid leave anesthesiologist Dr. Christian Zaarour, who also leads classes at the University of Toronto.
As the Sun reported at the time, Zaarour’s Instagram post said, “We consider Israel to be absolute evil. There is nothing worse than Israel. If Israel and the devil fight each other, we will stand with the devil.”
Of course this is a big problem for SickKids in that its focus is on the heath of children and not religion or politics.
“All who come to SickKids are entitled to be treated with respect, professionalism and feel safe,” the hospital said in a statement.
Comments from staffers saying they will support the devil over Israel or hold views that Israel will soon cease to exist do not make Jewish patients feel that way.
Sources say the hospital is taking both of these matters seriously and working on addressing them.
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