Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has issued a statement after photos of him posing with the leader of an organization that has been accused of anti-Semitism were circulated online.
Firas Al Najim, the leader of Canadian Defenders of Human Rights, posted the photo of himself and Dilkens to Twitter this week. The Canadian Defenders of Human Rights has been accused of anti-Semitism by the Windsor Jewish Federation.
Dilkens said the photos were taken at an event in October 2018 at the Ahlul-Bayt Mosque in Windsor.
"I don't have a strong recollection of this specific event, but if the focus had been to espouse hate or discrimination; I would have immediately departed," said Dilkens in his statement.
He went on to say he takes photos with thousands of people but it is impossible to know the motivation or views of each individual who asks to have their photo taken with him.
"Obviously, I condemn hate, discrimination, and violence in all forms," said Dilkens.
His full statement, urging residents to ignore attempts like these to divide the community can be found on Twitter.
— Drew Dilkens (@drewdilkens) November 24, 2022
