By Joseph Marshall
A Toronto model says she was tossed out of an Uber just after midnight because she is Jewish. The incident has raised concerns about antiJewism in a major transportation service used across the country. Miriam Mattova, a Slovakian Canadian model and former Miss Slovakia, said she was ordered out of the vehicle at a busy intersection after the driver heard her speaking about a recent trip to Israel.
Mattova had been on a FaceTime call talking about her visit to Israel a few weeks earlier. According to her account, the female driver stopped abruptly and told her to get out. When she asked what was happening, the driver said she did not feel comfortable driving her. Mattova then asked why. The driver replied that she does not drive Jewish people. Mattova stepped out at the corner, waited for another ride and tried to understand what had just occurred.
Mattova and the friend who booked the trip reported the matter to Uber. While the company contacted her four days later with an apology and a refund, it has not confirmed whether the driver is still working on the platform. The company cited privacy rules, which has only added to questions about how seriously the situation is being addressed. Mattova said that a serious case of antiJewism requires immediate action and that a refund does not resolve the underlying issue.
The lack of clarity has caused anger within the Jewish community. Many see the incident as another example of the growing number of identity based confrontations that have taken place since the attacks on Israel in October two years ago. Mattova has been outspoken about these issues and said the experience reminded her of the stories her grandmother, a ninety year old Holocaust survivor, told her about the years before the war. Small acts of hate, she said, were brushed aside until they developed into something far worse. That is what concerns her now.
Mattova has been active in speaking against antiJewism since the attacks in southern Israel. She said she has received hostile messages and online abuse but continues her advocacy. Her recent trip to Israel included meetings with soldiers and with survivors from the massacre at Beeri kibbutz. She said she feels an obligation to respond publicly when she sees discrimination. What happened in the Uber, she said, is one of the reasons she refuses to stay quiet.
Her lawyer, Howard Levitt, said he is demanding that Uber remove the driver and enforce strict nondiscrimination rules. He said antiJewism is becoming more common as protests fill Canadian streets with chants and language that directly target the Jewish community. According to him, incidents like this arise when people assume their behaviour will be accepted.
The current environment in Toronto has only intensified the discussion. Jewish neighbourhoods have reported repeated protests outside schools, synagogues and community centres. The recent Palestinian flag raising at Toronto City Hall drew strong criticism from residents who viewed it as a political message that ignored the concerns of the local Jewish population. Mattova attended the event and held an Israeli flag. She said that in Canada, only the Canadian flag should be raised at municipal institutions.
Mattova said she moved back to Canada in April of last year and did not expect to face situations like this. When she speaks about Israel, she speaks about her family, her background and her beliefs. She said she did not expect a driver to order her out of a car because of it. The incident made her question where the country is heading and whether Canadians will challenge identity based discrimination before it becomes more common.
Similar cases have been reported abroad, including in the United States and Europe, where Jewish riders have been harassed or removed from vehicles. Those cases prompted investigations, but Mattova said she has not seen comparable urgency in Toronto.
For now, the community is watching to see whether Uber will take decisive action. Mattova says she will continue to speak publicly. She said that when she stepped out of the car, she thought about her grandmother’s warnings. Hatred grows when people look the other way. She believes this is one of those moments when Canadians need to make a choice about what they will or will not accept.
I am on your side and I am not Jewish Miriam. This is an atrocious antisemitic act. I can tell you this is not a Canadian, in my opinion that did this to you. At least natural born Canadian. Having said that, you don’t even have the Canadian Prime Minister and two thirds of his cabinet in your corner either. I understand you not wanting to alert the media either. Their not on your side in this matter. The Montreal Jewish News is. Thank goodness! Your correct in saying nobody cares. Well almost nobody. Your story matters to me. I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m afraid Canada is crumbling before our very eyes. Soon this story will be considered hate speech and the guy who kicked you out of the cab a hero. They will run his flag up the pole and arrest you for singing Oh Canada.