Yves Engler, a Canadian author and activist known for his outspoken criticism of Israel, was arrested by Montreal police on Thursday following allegations of harassment from a pro-Israeli influencer, Dahlia Kurtz. Engler, a vocal critic of Israel’s policies and the Canadian military, has been a prominent figure in Canada’s pro-Palestinian movement for over two decades.
Engler was contacted by Montreal police after Kurtz lodged a complaint against him, accusing him of harassment. However, Engler vehemently denied the accusations, stating that he had never directly interacted with Kurtz. “I’ve never met Kurtz. Nor have I messaged or emailed her. Nor have I threatened her,” Engler wrote in a social media post. He also clarified that he did not follow Kurtz on Twitter but was exposed to her posts via Twitter’s algorithm.
In response to his arrest and the allegations, the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute organized an action campaign, prompting nearly 3,200 individuals to contact the Montreal police, urging them to drop the charges. Engler’s supporters argue that his arrest represents an attack on free expression, especially regarding criticism of Israel. This wave of public support has only led to additional charges being leveled against Engler, who claimed that police accused him of “harassing them for writing about the charges” and instructed him not to speak about the case.
Engler was taken into custody on Thursday morning and appeared before a judge later that day. He is currently being held in jail until his bail hearing on Friday. Alex Tyrrell, the leader of the Green Party of Quebec, accompanied Engler to the police station and expressed his concern about the arrest, calling it a disturbing violation of free speech rights in Canada. “It’s a shocking attack on free expression and democratic rights,” Tyrrell told the Middle East Eye. He emphasized the importance of being able to freely criticize Israel, especially in light of the ongoing situation in Palestine.
Tyrrell, who has known Engler for over a decade, pointed out that the activist’s arrest undermines his ability to continue his advocacy work. Engler, who has written 12 books focusing on Canada’s foreign policy with Haiti, Africa, and Israel, is also known for his role in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. Tyrrell expressed his admiration for Engler’s resilience, saying that the activist is determined to use his case to bring attention to what he sees as a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices in Canada.
Activists have voiced concerns about an institutional culture of repression against the pro-Palestine movement, particularly in Canada. The arrest of Engler follows a similar pattern seen with other pro-Palestinian activists, including the November 2023 arrest of Palestinian-Canadian activist Wesam Khaled, who was charged with disturbing the peace for using the phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Critics argue that Israel’s influence in Canada, including ties between Canadian police forces and Israeli security agencies, has contributed to a growing clampdown on civil liberties and free expression. Nobel Peace Prize nominee Jeff Halper has pointed out Israel’s involvement in Canadian prison systems, police training, and airport security, further fuelling concerns that political activism critical of Israel is being targeted.
The case of Engler is not an isolated incident. In December 2023, Dr. Yipeng Ge, a medical resident at the University of Ottawa, faced suspension after posting pro-Palestinian content on social media. Ge later resigned from the Canadian Medical Association board due to “bullying, harassment, and intimidation.”
As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see whether Engler’s arrest becomes a broader symbol of the ongoing struggle for free expression in Canada, especially when it comes to voicing opposition to Israel’s actions in Palestine.
