B’nai Brith Canada stated on Tuesday that its complaint led to criminal charges against Luke Alexander MacDonnell, 22, for allegedly calling for Israelis to be killed.
“B’nai Brith Canada observed MacDonnell using social media to make threats targeting Jewish people,” said Richard Robertson, the nonprofit’s research and advocacy director. “We alerted law enforcement, who acted in short order to prevent him from causing harm.”
The Nova Scotia man is accused of stating online that “I want all Israelis murdered,” and that he wanted to “see all Zios killed.”
“In a chilling message to his followers, MacDonnell also called on anyone who was armed to ‘go out and kill, injure, take prisoners and bomb,’” B’nai Brith stated.
The New Glasgow Regional Police stated that it charged MacDonnell “in relation to a hate crime that occurred in New Glasgow.”
Police received a report of a hate crime on June 5, and the following day, “responded to a report of postings of online hate speech that occurred from a New Glasgow residence.” Police investigators “learned that the man allegedly posted several hateful messages targeting Jewish communities,” the department stated.
At about 3:35 p.m. on June 6, officers arrested MacDonnell and charged him with three offenses: advocating and promoting genocide, public incitement of hatred and willful promotion of hatred. (The police press release spelled the name “McDonnell.”)
MacDonnell appeared in court on June 9. “The New Glasgow Regional Police are committed to thoroughly investigating hate-motivated crimes and unequivocally condemn these reprehensible acts,” the department stated. (JNS sought comment from the New Glasgow Regional Police.)
MacDonnell was reportedly held for three nights. He met his bail of about $9,000 and received curfew restrictions.
